Contemporary Mizo art, that speaks of the contemporary Mizo identity as a complex mixture of global influences and regional traditions, have been brought to the national forefront with the beginning of a weeklong Contemporary Art Exhibition at the India International Centre (IIC) annexe in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The event, which will run till Tuesday, is being organised by the information and public relations department of the Mizoram government in collaboration with the India International Centre to bring Mizoram on the map of burgeoning Indian contemporary art.

Altogether 27 contemporary paintings by 14 leading Mizo young artists belonging to Mizoram Art Development Society (MADS) are on display at the exhibition titled “Art exhibition contemporary paintings by leading artists of Mizoram”.

The exhibition was preceded by a preview from critics, officials of the India International Centre, media besides officers and staff of the state’s information and public relations department.

Such an event was also organised by the Mizoram government in New Delhi last year with an objective to highlight Mizo tradition and culture to the world through art.

On studying the current condition of the Mizo art scene, one will find a blend of western artistic techniques and regional tradition.

Taking up materials, techniques and idioms from the West , the Mizos construct their own artistic language by amalgamating these with Mizo sensibility and culture.

“In the current exhibition, we see idyllic Mizo villages, Mizo girls besides local flora and fauna as dominant themes while using western techniques and styles,” Isaac Malsawmtluanga, a participant and art education professor of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Aizawl, told reporters.

He said the core of the Mizo identity is still deeply-rooted in their tradition.