Jean Doyle at the exhibition in Ireland. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 3: Traditional artworks from Raghurajpur in Puri district are captivating art lovers in Ireland ,where an exhibition dedicated to the multiple ancient art forms from the craft village are on display at Pearse Museum.

Over 50 artists of Raghurajpur have sent in their palm leaf art, patta chitras, tussar paintings, sculptures and various other artworks. Some have also sent contemporary works for the art exhibition called “The Sacred Art of Odisha”. The exhibition opened on August 18 at the museum with a number of events that gave Irish viewers an idea about India in general and Odisha in particular.

Irish artist Jean Doyle is the curator for the exhibition.

“I visited Odisha in 2011 during the Raghurajpur International Art and Cultural Exchange (RIACE). During the programme, participants from all over the world were exposed to the numerous beautiful traditional arts and crafts people of the village are adept at. Ever since, I have been trying to bring their works and showcase them before art lovers here,” said Doyle.

“Along with RIACE group members Pravat and Khistish, I teamed up with members of the Pearse Museum and Ranelagh Arts Centre here to organise the event. It has received a wonderful response so far,” she said.

From mehendi designing to a cultural event of songs and dance, the opening ceremony included various attractions. And while that was a draw for Irish art lovers, the ongoing exhibition is leaving the visitors quite open-jawed.

“I am absolutely in love with the traditional patterns of art from Odisha. The intricate drawings of human figures in tussar paintings as well as patta paintings are unbelievable. It is also interesting that they usually depict mythological stories or nature and animals in their works. The palm leaf designs are also splendid,” said Fiona, an artist who visited the exhibition.

After the display at Pearse Museum concludes on September 13, the Ranelagh Arts Centre will showcase it from September 16 to October 29. At Ranelagh, the exhibition will be called “The Art of Raghurajpur”.

“We are immensely happy and proud because of the appreciation we received from the art lovers in Ireland. Some of the 51 artists whose works have been displayed there will be visiting the Ranelagh exhibition,” said Khitish, who is an organising member of RIACE. The young artist has also sent his contemporary paintings to the collection of about 150 works.