We were invited by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2005 to commission art for the Deputy High Commission offices in Chennai, formerly Madras. We commissioned
Haberdasher, a wall-hanging by Simon Periton, for display in the entrance hall. Periton visited Chennai earlier that year to research the project. The city’s rapid bustle inspired his design of abstract patterns which he created from vibrantly coloured nylon layers. Haberdasher combines a visually-stimulating mix of floral Indian garlands with industrial pylons and cogs.
GAC staff installing Simon Periton's wall hanging Haberdasher in the new Deputy High Commission building.
Aniela, singer (2004), by Julian Opie was acquired for the conference area. A computer-generated vinyl painting, it depicts a young girl’s face devoid of all defining personal characteristics. Like a contemporary billboard in its format and use of materials, Opie’s work prompts us to think about how personal identity can become anonymous in modern cities such as Chennai, where computing and communication industries are replacing more traditional forms of employment.
