She first branched out in India with the creation Outset in 2011, and then created the Gujral Foundationwith her husband Mohit Gujral to campaign for contemporary arts. As a firm supporter and board member of the Kochi Biennale, Feroze today presents her latest project, “My East is Your West” which will launch at the Palazzo Benzo during the 56th Venice Biennale. The show will unite two great cities in Pakistan and India. Rashid Rana will represent Lahore, whilst Shilpa Gupta will highlight Mumbai.
How did the project come about?
I met Rashid (Rana) in Venice a few years ago and we discussed India’s lacking presence at the fair. Knowing that I love Rashid’s work, we wanted to do something together. I started speaking to those around me about the possibility of working with just two artists, one from Pakistan and one from India.
So why India and Pakistan, why not Bangladesh?
There is something very powerful between India and Pakistan, something very emotional as well. We feel a very close bond, our destiny is marked by our history. There are artistic needs and they must transcend all the political dynamics, its important for people to communicate, especially artists. India is the big brother and we are like two enemy brothers; art plays a role.
Is the Gujral Foundation taking on the role of the Indian government and the Culture Minister?
India has so many problems. There are a lot of us and there is such poverty and hunger, the government has other worries. I would prefer the government resolved these kind of issues.
I have a very positive outlook, I agree to pay for the arts and our exhibition, moreover I am not alone and I am ready to redo it. Although the show is very costly, I am very proud of it. There are also other donations coming from The Ford Foundation, The Lahore Biennale Foundation, Serendipity Arts Trust – A Minjal Initiative.
Is it a joint project or does each artist work independently?
I don’t want to reveal too much about the project, but lets just say both artists are working on two separate projects. This fracture has always pervaded their practice, reflecting the nation’s feeling of being either Indian or Pakistani, but is also touched by the issue of boundaries and geopolitical and community tensions.
