Shelly Bahl  |  Pink Is The Navy Blue of India
October 20 ­ November 15 2003

Opening reception, Monday October 20 7PM FREE
Artist Talk Tuesday October 21 7PM in the Khyber Club
(new members and guests welcome)

The Khyber Centre for the Arts presents a solo exhibition by Shelly Bahl, an Indian-born artist based in Toronto and New York City, in the Ballroom Gallery. This exhibition features the Canadian premiere of the title work, "Pink Is the Navy Blue of India", a mixed-media video installation. In this significant new work, the artist explores a woman's desire and frenzy for orientalist fashions. In the narrative, a young Indian woman enters a fashion boutique, browses, and tries on different items---a riot of sheer, spicy-colored garments and accessories. The artist carefully juxtaposes lively "ethnic" elements with a bland contemporary setting. The camera follows the woman while she frenetically touches, smells and tastes the merchandise, the intimate interaction culminating in an emotional clash. Bahl's work creates environments for interactive acts of consumption and storytelling while provocatively examining transcultural convergences.

Shelly Bahl is represented by M.Y. Art Prospects, NYC.