Skyview by Empyrean to host Jammu-based artists in ‘Sama-Vaya’ Art Retreat on August 22-25

• Hosted by Skyview by Empyrean, organized by prominent art consultant and curator Anupa Mehta, and supported by author and crafts curator Anu Chowdhury Sorabjee, the four-day retreat will bring together 8 master craftswomen and artists from across India to collaborate and display their works of art inspired by the region.
• Among the participating artists are Lado Bai, Kritika Joshi, Saroj Shyam, and contemporary Indian artists Rachna Badrakia and Neha Lavingia.
• The in-residence artists will stay at the premium mountain harbour, collaborating and learning from each other before displaying their individual and joint works of art inspired by the beauty and landscape of Jammu at the exhibition on August 25, 2024.

JAMMU: The culturally rich and beautiful valley of Jammu is all set to welcome art lovers and collectors from around the world yet again! Skyview by Empyrean, a 22-acre mountain harbour that seamlessly blends premium hospitality, adventure, nature, and luxury in the Sanget-Patnitop region, is gearing up to host the second edition of the interactive art retreat ‘Sama-Vaya’ on its premises between August 22- 25, 2024.

Organized by prominent art consultant and curator Anupa Mehta and supported by crafts curator Anu Chowdhury Sorabjee, ‘Sama-Vaya’, which in Sanskrit means ‘union’, brings together acclaimed artists and craftsmen from across India to collaborate, exchange ideas, and produce masterpieces inspired by their surroundings.

The artists will work individually as well as in pairs to create their impressions of Jammu, the environment, and of Skyview by Empyrean. On August 25, the exhibition at Skyview by Empyrean will feature Sohan's and all other artists' artwork at Pine View Banquet.

“The response to the premier ‘Sama-Vaya’ art retreat last year was so overwhelmingly positive that we had to come back with yet another edition to celebrate all forms of art against the beautiful backdrop of Jammu! I’m delighted to have crafts curator Anu Chowdhury Sorabjee bring in her crafts expertise this year. The talented group of artists this year come from both urban contemporary settings as well as indigenous areas. Their diverse backgrounds, skillsets, and creative perspectives promise to add a punch of flavours to the retreat, making the exhibition all the more interesting.

I’m looking forward to seeing the different shades of Jammu and Skyview by Empyrean interpreted through their eyes and on to their canvasses on August 25,” said Art Curator, Sama- Vaya, Anupa Mehta, who has over two decades of experience in the Indian art world.

“Skyview by Empyrean is more than just a premium property that offers top-class hospitality. We are always looking at multiple ways to make a difference, be it by popularizing Jammu as a top destination, empowering the local communities, or doing our bit to promote passions like sports and art for the greater good of all. We are delighted to host ‘Sama-Vaya on our property this year yet again and look forward to having the artists stay with us and be inspired to create some of their best art works while in-residence drawing from the serene surroundings and nurturing atmosphere we cultivate here,” said Owais Altaf Syed, Director of Skyview by Empyrean.

Skyview By Empyrean, that seamlessly blends premium hospitality, adventure, nature, and luxury, lends itself as the perfect destination for an art gathering of such scale. It is located at one of the most scenic spots of the Sanget-Patnitop region that offers unfiltered views of the majestic Pir Panjal range and is only an hour’s drive from the famous Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple at Katra.

About the Artists:

Sohan Singh Billawaria is a remarkable self-trained artist specializing in Traditional Miniature Painting who will be representing his work at the retreat. His work has graced the hallowed halls of Amar Mahal Museum and Library in Jammu, Triveni Kala Sangam in New Delhi, Lalit Kala Academy in New Delhi. His talent has been acknowledged through awards such as the National Award – Ministry of Textiles - New Delhi in 1999, J&K State Award in 2003, State Award for Excellence of Art in 2007, National Junior Research Fellowship Award in 1998.  His works also include the iconic Buckingham Palace and the Indian Prime Minister’s Office, and the President and Prime Minister’s Residence in New Delhi. 

Suman Supta is a National Academy award winner and will also be displaying his work at the retreat. Couched in his cultural roots relating to the mountains, the works of Suman Gupta are imbued with multi-layered meanings, rich in anthropological details. Using his memory and imagination as a tool, Suman goes beyond the scientific objective and transforms real-life situations into visual documents of socio-philosophical significance while pursuing his mind-images. He was the first Indian artist ever to showcase his works in a one-man show titled ‘The Mountain Mysteries at Palais des Nations, United Nations Office at Geneva, Switzerland, during the ‘Year of the Mountains’ in 2002. 

Rachita Datta is an artist whose creative journey is woven with threads of tradition and innovation. Her unique artistic voice has earned her recognition and acclaim, manifested in the form of the National Young Artist Scholarship in 2017 and a junior Fellowship in 2019. The prestigious 63rd National Lalit Kala Exhibition in New Delhi selected her work for display, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career. She had her recent exhibitions in notable galleries such as Apre Art Gallery in Mumbai, Dot Line Space in Mumbai, and Bikaner House in New Delhi. Rachita remains rooted in her hometown of Jammu, where she lives and works.