From Andalusia to India: this collection of paintings brings together images gathered from from diverse locations, but connected the theme of festivals and religious gatherings in which animals play a central role or are present. The works represents a celebration of these colourful and timeless gatherings in today’s modern world.
The Pushkar camel fair is one of India's largest annual livestock and cultural events and takes place over several days in Rajasthan, India. Every year the small town of Pushkar comes
to life with thousands of visitors. Tribal families from the villages in the Thar desert arrive over many days in camel trains with horses and cattle to trade, a chance to exchange news and enjoy one of India's most colourful gatherings. Tiny streets are packed with religious
pilgrims and visitors, a riot of colour and noise.
But venture a few minutes out into the desert and the atmosphere changes: a vast horizon of tents and campfires, thousands of horses, camels and cattle and an air of quiet, deliberate purpose as the animals are cared for and the all-important trading is conducted. Some of the finest Marwari horses are to be seen here racing up and down between the tents. But everywhere there are quieter, more intimate scenes unfolding. Families are gathered around
fires, preparing the meals, the horses, camels and cattle sharing the same space. They are, in many cases, smaller more modest looking creatures but every bit as beautiful, treated with such warmth and affection as they play a central role in family life.