Mali has a way of adding a spicy bit of humour to a lot of his works, some of which also have a surrealist angle though a gentle rather than “in your face” portion.
Included in the exhibition is a write up on Santa covering his origins and quirks. It is thought the original Santa may have been a 4th century Greek Bishop famed for giving gifts to the poor. Others say he was a Saint from Scandinavia. A jovial man dressed in red with a thick white beard may have emerged from cartoons in Canada and the USA.
Children are told to behave and offered gifts from his sack for being good.
Mali came to England from Mumbai India in 1962 as a graduate in fine art of the impressionist school. He has had more than 30 solo shows and more than 200 group shows. He sold work at Christies Fine Art Auction Rooms in 2004 and more recently sold art in 2018 at Bonhams. One of his main themes is conceptual art on the subject of books.
Please see attached some of Mali’s Christmas card designs. The exhibition is on from 2nd-31st December and there are other artworks by some local artists to see there too. The exhibition does not include any artworks for sale but you can always ask if interested.
Enjoy.
Penny Nair Price