Meditations in Gold: South Asian Jewelry

May 16, 2024 - February 2, 2025

From prehistoric necklaces made of shells and bones to contemporary ornaments of gold and gemstones, jewelry is a universal form of adornment and one of the most accessible forms of art. Since the beginning it has had many functions; to represent cultural beliefs, to indicate status and wealth, to act as a fashion statement, to serve religious purposes, to symbolize relationships and rites of passage, to serve as a type of currency, and as heirlooms connecting families to their heritage, or in some cases to protect the wearer.

With its own mines yielding gold, diamonds, and many other precious and semiprecious stones India has been a vibrant center for wearable arts for centuries. Whether it is an opulent creation covering much of the body or a simple amulet worn around the neck on a cotton string, every detail holds important cultural connections. This exhibition will include jewelry worn for religious, ceremonial, and daily purposes and because every element of jewelry design in India is intentional, it will consider the importance of motifs from the natural and spiritual world. It will also explore why materials—like gold and pearls—are deeply symbolic and how they are utilized to create meaning beyond aesthetics.

Related Programming:

Splendors of South Asia

Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 6:00pm 

Free and open to the public. Registration required  

 7:00pm - Exclusive Cocktail Reception & Intimate Dinner 

 Ticketed event, sponsorship opportunities available. 

 Dress Code: Cocktail/party attire, traditional South Asian attire encouraged 

 The Flint Institute of Arts Museum + Art School (FIA) is pleased to announce the first ever Splendors of South Asia celebration scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2024. The event celebrates the art, history, and culture of South Asia and aims to further the FIA’s mission of connecting diverse communities through fun, creative and inspiring visual art experiences. The springboard for the Splendors of South Asia celebration began in 2021 with the Kommareddi Family Lecture series and continues with the Meditations in Gold: South Asian Jewelry exhibition on view from May 16, 2024 to February 2, 2025.  The evening will feature a lecture that is free and open to the public, followed by a ticketed event that includes cocktails in the museum and an intimate dinner in Isabel Hall.  Proceeds from the celebration will support education programs and expand the South Asian art collection at the FIA.

[Click here for event registration]

Mexicanidad

May 9, 2024 - September 8, 2024

Considered the most influential and progressive printmaking collective of its time, the Taller de Graficá Popular (TGP) was established in Mexico City in 1937. Following in the footsteps of Jose Posada, Los Tres Grandes and other political artists such as Francisco Goya and Honoré Daumier, the artists of the TGP used the medium of printmaking to address social and political issues as well as to explore their cultural heritage and create a Mexican identity. In 1946 the portfolio Mexican People was published, featuring 12 prints from artists of the TGP. This exhibition will examine the history of the TGP, the portfolio and their messages. 

Made in Michigan

August 19, 2023 - July 21, 2024

The artworks in this exhibition were created by artists who were either born in Michigan or spent an extended period of time living and working in the state. It shows the depth of Michigan artists who have depicted landscapes, industrial scenes, and the human form through both realism and abstraction.

Michigan has had a long history of fostering creativity through its various teaching and cultural institutions. These efforts began in the late 19th century when Michigan’s cities became increasingly industrialized. Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, and other cities were becoming manufacturing centers, attracting thousands of immigrants from Europe, Canada, and surrounding states. In just a few years, fields gave way to factories, and many Michigan’s cities became sophisticated, urban centers. The powerful individuals who were shaping this new society, confident in its future, sought to extend their interests and influence into all aspects of life, including education, politics, and culture. In this climate of change the first signs of an emerging art community could be seen. Today, this tradition continues as contemporary artists emerge from or move to Michigan.