LONDON - 'Emblems and Urban Regeneration' will showcase some of the best artists presently representing India. Alok Bal, Sachin Karne and Sculptor Vinod A Patel who live and work in Baroda together with B. Manjunath Kamath and Pratul Dash of New Delhi. Their work exhibits the best examples of contemporary art not only from India but from around the world. Emblems and Urban Regeneration demonstrates without doubt the power and talent being produced at the top end of the Indian contemporary art scene.

Christopher Garnier, Director of Garnier Arts and the curator of Emblems & Urban Regeneration lives and works both in France and London. For many years he ran a successful business but found his passion for Asian arts directed him to study Indian Art and Sculpture at the British Museum to gain a deeper understanding of the ancient and modern art practices within Asia; specifically India. Fluent in several languages including Urdu, Hindi and French enabled Christopher a hands on approach through vast peripatetic to gain an in depth insight into ancient and modern practices. He brings his expertise and discernment in the chosen works from all over Asia.

For the past four years Christopher has been actively searching the sub continent to discover contemporary artists whose work he exhibits in Mayfair. His first exhibition, Shifting Focus’ last November, showed seven selected emerging Indian artists; Pratul Dash, George Martin, MSC Satya Sai, Alok Bok, Swapna Biswas, Shridhar Iyer and Sarika Mehta, all of whom had exhibited in India and some Internationally yet still were not that widely known outside of India. Their work remained broadly within the traditions of the Bengal School and the Bombay Progressives, such as Souza, Raza and Hussain whilst bringing a contemporary edge and excitement to their work. Like Indian artists from previous generations their inspiration came from their inherited traditions. The works from this first exhibition was thoroughly researched and uniquely sourced to provide an insight between past and present encounters in India today.

His second exhibition Silence, again in Mayfair in June this year, concentrated on the previously shown artists, MSC Satya Sai; whose recent ‘Buddha series’ showed his maturity emerge in the international contemporary art scene. All the artists have gone from strength to strength and many are now represented by major galleries around the world. Without exception their works now feature in many international private and a selection of public art collections.

This November Christopher has spent even more effort in searching artists; some previously exhibited by him and some new, to curate the most exciting exhibition to date, including the crème de la crème of Indian talent. Christopher has purposely included innovative metal sculptures, believing that this area of contemporary art from India is about to explode in popularity. Vinod Patel’s beautifully elegant metal sculptures adapt to the modern living by being designed to be dismantled for easier transportation, without compromising the art itself. His previous work includes massive commissions for India's Dinosaur Park in Gujarat, as well as many other public displays. Inspired by nature and created by using abandoned scrap metal, Vinod turns his hands into creating some of the most beautiful eye catching pieces of fine art available today. Vinod’s sculptures, together with the canvases and watercolours by Alok, Sachin, Pratul and Kamath, ensemble an impressive collection of world class fine art.

Christopher’s passion to show the world the fascinating art emerging from India, funds much of the exhibition costs himself. In a time where the world’s contemporary art has maybe reached its pinnacle, Christopher reminds us all, not to give up yet. There is still exciting times ahead, and with the audience growing daily, the more opportunities Christopher and his contemporaries have in educating people, to the purpose and aesthetic pleasures this exciting and meaningful art can bestow.

"Christopher travels the length and breast of India three or four times a year in search for extraordinary talents. He remains fully hands on during every part of his exhibitions and at the time where he should be relaxing in preparation for the big opening like many of his fellow curators, he is instead, and prefers to be, fully involved at every step. Fortunate to have accompanied him for the past three exhibitions, his hard, non stop work, determination and faith in the works of his chosen few has never faltered. He encounters time and time again obstacles of pure frustration; last minute crisis's that would have killed off many other's enthusiasm. He has survived months through India’s heat, has worked endless hours, deprived of sleep, remained calm with approaching deadlines, coped with unplanned democracy and suffered with travelling illnesses, but by shear determination to show to the west what India has to offer; to show the world that special magic that captured his imagination many years ago Christopher could or would never be stopped. He is the most positive, charming and fun human being I have ever met, constantly smiling and determined, hard working and passionate about his chosen artists and their work, this exhibition will be special beyond any doubt " . . . Julie Badrick, Fine Art Promotions.

Indian art; Contemporary, modern or ancient, is no longer limited to the Indian collectors. Indian art is now seen as an investment area without the restrictions of other emerging world markets. All of the major London auction houses reclining sales of their once in demand Indian modern works, nevertheless, India has not fallen from favour, it’s simply adjusted to the Contemporary art being produced. Christopher Garnier’s strong and continued belief in this area of art, justifies his personal understanding of a country he fell in love with.

Christopher has been an avid collector of Indian Contemporary art for many years. He has featured on national radio and presents lectures and presentations on Indian Art; covering both the Contemporary and Progressive Modernist Schools.

Emblems and Urban Regeneration will be held from the 4th-10th November 2007 at the Air Gallery, 32 Dover Street London W1S 4NE. Open daily from 10.00am - 7.00pm. The private viewing (invitation only),will be held on Monday 5th November 5.30- 8.30pm; invitations can be obtained by emailingmailto : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The exhibition is in association with London's Asian Art Week; one of the worlds most important calendar dates connected to Asian art. Tel: +44 (0) 77 79 23 28 21 Visit : www.garnierart.com