Paintings for World Harmony – UN Secretariat Lobby – 2008 Aug 19th Reception
Filed under Art ExhibitsThis exhibition of paintings by Sri Chinmoy is dedicated to the ideal of world-harmony and recognizes the significance of the those who have safeguarded this ideal.
Cultural evolution is safeguarded by our representatives in the International Community, by our Museums and by our Institutions of Fine Art.
We are grateful to those who act as the guardians of culture, the preservers of the civilization of mankind. They attempt to enhance the quality of life, for all humanity. This exhibit honours their endeavours.
see also text summary of event at bottom of post:
PDF: 2008 Sri Chinmoy Paintings for World-Harmony, at the United Nations-aug-19-event-summary
You are cordially invited to
A Reception
At the United Nations
For an Exhibition of Paintings
Entitled “Painting-s for World -Harmony”
By artist Sri Chinmoy
Reception: Tuesday, 19 August 2008 at 6pm
United Nations Secretariat Lobby, NYC
Exhibition dates: August l9th – 22nd, 2008
This exhibition is dedicated to the ideal of world-harmony as expressed through the arts.
RSVP for those without UN pass: (212) 844-9235
United Nations Headquarters, 1st Avenue between 42″d and 46’/’ Street, NYC
Co-sponsored by
United Nations SRC Film Society – Vijaya Claxton, pres.
]harna-Kala Art Foundation – Ranjana Ghose, dir.
Gallery A:
Paintings for World-Harmony” Exhibit
We extend om’ gratitude to the following dignitaries for offering their comments on World-Harmony to this exhibition:
Realizing world harmony is the mission for which the United Nations was created. As peoples and nations strive to attain that goal, we are fortunate to find in Sri Chinmoy ‘s paintings for World Harmony, as well as in the legacy of his life’s work, a continuous source of vision, peacefulness and inspiration. H.E. Dr. Srgjan Kerim, President of the Sixty-Second Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Harmony is the most elusive of world goals, but one that can change history. With it, the UN works; without it, the UN often does not. The Rt. Honourable Lord Mark Malloch Brown, KCMG, PC Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations (2006)
H. E. Mr. Anwarul K. Chowdhury (on left) , shares his enthusiasm at the reception on 19 August
As a true Global Ambassador of Peace, Sri Chinmoy’s vision of a oneness-world of peace and harmony, within each individual and for humanity at large, continues to be most enriching and empowering for all. H. E. Mr. Anwarul K. Chowdhury Ambassador, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations (2002- 2007)
There is no dream more lofty than the dream of world-harmony. It is found in the hearts of each of us and embodied in the vision of the United Nations. Mr. Ray Chambers, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Malaria
Sri Chinmoy’s gift of himself and his great talents enrich the world and inspire us all to work for peace and harmony amongst the human family. It is appropriate that his work is exhibited at the United Nations, a place where so many people are committed to serving the world community, and which is itself a centre of hope for humanity. Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate (1977), Co-Founder of the Community of Peace People
“May the minds, ears and eyes of the world be flooded with harmony.” – Sri Chinmoy Founder, The Peace Meditation at the United Nations
Friends of the “Paintings for World-Harmony” Exhibit
by Sri Chinmoy, 11 -22 August 2008, United Nations, New York include:
Archbishop Desmond Tutu Nobel Peace Laureate, 1984 H.E.
Dr. Srgjan Kerim President of the Sixty-Second Session of the United Nations General Assembly
The Rt. Honourable Lord Mark Malloch Brown, KCMG, PC Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations (2006)
H.E. Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser, United Nations
H.E. Mr. Vladimir Petrovsky Chairman, Association Comprehensive Dialogue among Civilizations Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva (1993-2003)
H.E. Mr. Anwarul K. Chowdhury Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations (2002-2007)
H. E. Dr. Ananda W.P. Guruge, Ambassador Dean of Academic Affairs, Director of the International Academy of Buddhism. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to UNESCO, France and the United States (1985-1994)
Mr. Ray Chambers Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Malaria
Pandit Ravi Shankar India’s most esteemed ambassador of music, sitar maestro unparalleled , iconic personality responsible for bringing Indian classical music to the West…revered the world over.
Ms. Roberta Flack America’s legendary treasure and multiple Grammy-Award winner … her voice resonates with the music of the soul and touches every heart.
Dr. L. Subramaniam Incomparable master of violin … deeply respected for his profound musical attainment… recipient of the highest awards.
Ms. Mairead Maguire Nobel Peace Laureate, 1977, Co-Founder of the Community of Peace People
Ms. Renata Dessallien United Nations Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative, Bangladesh
President Nelson Mandela offers a message to the “Paintings for World-Harmony” exhibit by Sri Chinmoy
11-22 August 2008, United Nations, New York
“We are a single humanity. We must work together, united as one, to build a world of justice and harmony for all. Within each of us lies the power to build a world where we respect each other’s beliefs, understand each other ‘s culture and support each other’s values — a world where hatred, pain and suffering have no place.
This is the great cause of world peace to which my dear friend Sri Chinmoy devoted his life and to which his Paintings for World Harmony at the United Nations are dedicated.” President Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund President, Republic of South Africa (1994-1999) Nobel Peace Laureate
Archbishop Desmond Tutu offers a message to the “Paintings for World-Harmony” exhibit by Sri Chinmoy 11-22 August 2008, United Nations, New York
‘We are each a pool of love, compassion and serenity. Let the ripples from this pool reach to the end of the world. This is what my dear friend Sri Chinmoy did, thoughout his life, for all of God’s children. God is smiling to know the immense good he has accomplished while working tirelessly to unite us as children of one Father.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu Nobel Peace Laureate, 1984
Some initial Photos from exhibit to be updated:
Click on image below for larger photo or different resolution:
Excerpt from a summary of event:
Sri Chinmoy: Paintings for World-Harmony, at the United Nations
A special exhibit of twenty-five acrylic paintings by Sri Chinmoy opened at the UN Secretariat Lobby on 11-22 August on the ideal of world harmony. This significant exhibit will travel around the world. The exhibit has inspired reflections on the theme from world figures, UN staff and others.
At the exhibit reception on August 19, a special programme honoured museums for their contribution to world harmony through the arts. In the words of Ranjana Ghose, curator of the exhibit, “We are grateful to those who act as the guardians of culture, the preservers of these finer aspects of civilization of mankind. In so doing, they attempt to enhance the aesthetic quality of life for all humanity. This exhibit honours their endeavours.”
Sixteen of the worlds museums were present: The Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery/Freerer Museum of Art and The Cooper-Hewitt, The MET, MOMA, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Whitney Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Rubin Museum, The New Museum of Contemporary Art, Princeton University Art Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Asia Society Museum, Newark Museum and Children’s Museum of Manhattan.
Curator of the exhibit Ranjana Ghose notes, “As is most often the case of Sri Chinmoy’s painting, here also, there was no drawn-out mental deliberation in the artist’s painting technique, but rather a spontaneous expression of goodness, a spiritual ignition of energy, unleashed with a free and abundant use of vibrant colours which play with the light…. “
Sri Chinmoy is a prolific artist who has long been known for his drawings of birds as well as his joyfully coloured abstract paintings. A number of respected cultural institutions retain an original of his paintings in their permanent collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London; UNESCO in Paris, the Palais des Rosi de Majorque in Perpignon, France; and the Museum of Modern History of Russia in Moscow.
The “Paintings for World-Harmony” Exhibit is expected to travel the world after its inaugural showing at the United Nations and was sponsored by the United Nations SRC Film Society.
Messages of support for the “Paintings for World-Harmony” Exhibit have been received from such figures as President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly H.E. Dr. Srgjan Kerim and Mikhail Gorbachev.