As an artist whose personal and professional journeys have been deeply shaped by both France and India, it has been an honor for me to make an Olympic painting bringing together these two countries. I am thankful to Mrs. Sangita Jindal and the JSW group for selecting me to carry out this artistic project.
I approached it first and foremost as an ode to the Olympic legacy, while at the same time seeking to anchor it within French and Indian pride. As an answer to the famous French Republic’s motto India’s Ashoka chakra reveals itself from within one of the Olympic circles while a glimpse of the metallic sheen of gold, silver and bronze representing the medals discretely hint at the sports events.
There is an explicit play on both nations’ flags as strong hues of orange, green, blue white, and red have a prevalent place. The universality of the Olympic message is mirrored within the fill of the circles themselves where the fluidity of the colors suggest world maps as seen from distant outer space.
French and Indian cultures both emphatically celebrate tradition and heritage while also welcoming the ever changing modernity. It is this common commitment which is the main inspiration behind my painting.
Sujata Bajaj
Paris 9 th of August 2024
