James Stephenson Exhibition Opening

Eva Breuer Art Dealer is excited to present a new exhibition from James Stephenson: On the Ghats of Varanasi, India.

The works in this series have been inspired by the culture, traditions and daily rituals of the millennia old northern Indian city of Varanasi. The city is situated on the Ganges River, considered holy by Hindus. The close relationship between the city and the river has lead to the development of Varanasi as a religious and cultural center of northern India. The city is currently considered one of the seven cities sacred to Hindus and attracts almost one million Hindu pilgrims a year.

In order to prepare for and execute these works Stephenson lived in Varanasi for several months. The works in this exhibition were painted in situ on the city's ghats (stone steps leading down to the Ganges), of which Varanasi has almost one hundred. His focus on the activities associated with the ghats is reflected in the subject of the many of the paintings – ritual bathing performed from the ghats by locals and visiting pilgrims.

These works can be read both as a visual exposé of the culture of the city, and as the documentation accompanying a love affair between the artist and one of the world's great cultural centers.

Stephenson's exhibition will be on display at Eva Breuer Art Dealer from the 23rd of May. For a preview of the exhibition click here.

Images: (top) Ahilyabhai Afternoon (2009), oil on board, 29 x 19 cm

(bottom) Temple of Shiva (2009), oil on board, 29 x 19 cm