India is a land of cultures and traditions that stand out with its rich diversity, celebrating the distinct identities of each region, and at the same time going beyond its limitations by embracing inclusivity.
Across generations, artists and writers have navigated the rich cultures of India and the incredible diversity that makes it a home where art and literature are not just celebrated but honoured with pride and reverence.
One such personality from India who, with her journal, International Gallerie, has made waves in the domain of India’s art and cultural history is Bina Sarkar Ellias.
In this blog, we will walk you through this Indian art and culture magazine, the inspiration behind its conception, and the Indian editor herself!
Who is Bina Sarkar Ellias?
The founder-editor of International Gallerie, Bina Sarkar Ellias, hails from India, and her work explores themes of cultural diversity and the importance of addressing socio-political and community-building issues in today’s world.
A versatile writer of the 21st century, she has been published in journals and other collections and has contributed to major national newspapers, where contemporary issues spanning 40 years have been brought to light by her, along with events from the art world.
A well-known poet, Bina Sarkar Ellias, is also featured in various magazines, anthologies, and websites, and her chapbook, The Room, was published by the UK-based organisation Aarkarts.
Other than that, The Big Book of Indian Art by Bina Sarkar Ellias is a journey across timelines, from the contemporary gallery scene to the primal creations of the early civilisations.
From women modernist artists like Shobha Broota, Gogi Saroj Pal, to iconic individual artists like M.F. Husain and G.R. Santosh, her almost comprehensive introductory book spans multiple moments of the past and the present.
Bina Sarkar Ellias’s International Gallerie
International Gallerie allows artists to connect, engage in discussions, and express their curiosity about the world of art. It is an initiative that has the power to alter perceptions about life with its thought-provoking discussions and diverse insights.
Since its inception in 1997, the Gallerie has aimed to spread knowledge amongst diverse communities, inviting multiple cultural forms to voice their socio-political issues with art and the written word as mediums that empower every culture.
Overall, the Gallerie is an award-winning and awe-inspiring international arts and ideas journal from the land of culture, i.e., India.
At International Gallerie, culture is seen as a “thread” that connects, and not something that dissociates this rich diversity of the world. To share the Journey of Ideas with the world, it is all about endowing them with the power of intelligence in a sumptuous 13” x 10” format issue.
The community moves beyond Indian subscribers to encompass members and prestigious institutions from overseas, with the majority of them belonging to the USA and the UK.
This Indian art and culture magazine’s core strength lies in the fact that it continues to shape insights and influence perspectives on disparities and differences witnessed globally. It seeks to counter these issues by disseminating the knowledge of cultural diversity.
According to Bina Sarkar Ellias, magazines open up discussions on art movements and artists, where new insights are gathered, and distinct identities are preserved.
In a world where art seems to collapse under a calculated approach, International Gallerie revives the spontaneous camaraderie that once pervaded the creative scene.
Origin of Bina Sarkar Ellias’s International Gallerie
International Gallerie was founded in 1997, but the vision of Bina Sarkar Ellias was planted quite early when she was an editor of the school magazine, and later, during her college days, her concern towards equality, justice, and human rights deepened.
Eventually, these ideas lingered in her mind, and it was in 1996 that Gallerie was conceptualised and executed the following year. However, this journal was not always vocal about critical issues, but was only focused on presenting excellence in the arts.
Eventually, Gallerie became all-encompassing in terms of themes, and war, peace, beauty, and rain became an inclusive part of its journey.
Bottom Line
International Gallerie is inherently India’s prestige as a journal that understands, appreciates and nurtures unity in diversity through art and the written word.
It’s “International” because, to celebrate this diversity, one must move beyond the borders and bring together all distinct identities under one roof, that of harmony.
Also, with its discerning members overseas, it is more evident that art unites and bridges people across borders, continues to celebrate authenticity and listens to the voices that empower diversity, like Bina Sarkar Ellias’s International Gallerie.