Te Uru, Waitakere Contemporary Art Gallery. ‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ exhibition, Bepan Bhana. Image: Su Leslie, 2016
A series of diptychs featuring Bollywood film couples against the backdrop of some iconic west Auckland coastline line the walls of the Waitakere Contemporary Art Gallery. These paintings by Bepan Bhana are both a fun, colourful juxtaposition of painting styles, and a serious commentary on the commercialisation of landscape. In a country like New Zealand where tourism is a significant source of revenue, the relationship between landscape as natural heritage and economic resource is a complex one.
Frankie Goes To Bollywood is showing at Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Art Gallery until 15 May.
Zimmerbitch 
We watched our share of Bollywood movies when our younger daughter was younger. Lots and lots of dancing and singing! 🙂
janet
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Hi Janet. I’ve never seen a Bollywood movie, but the themes and imagery have become quite pervasive in our culture, so the paintings “made sense.”
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Great paintings – love the bright colours which are very Indian and Bollywood
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Hi Raewyn. Yes, he’s painting in the style of Bollywood promotional posters.
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These must be something to see in person- Bollywood to me is color, song, and lots of energy!
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Pretty much what the paintings invoke!
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I love the interaction between the spectators and the paintings. Great shot.
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Thank you so much Otto. I love watching people engage (or not) with art. Children especially are just delightful in the way they respond so honestly and openly. Cheers, Su.
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