ARTICLE
Olivia Fraser (b. 1956)
Her practice is further informed by the pichwais of Nathdwara and the Jodhpuri paintings of Nath yogis, and aims to render traditional beliefs and notions in contemporary styles. Using Indian miniatures as a starting point, Fraser’s work depends on the isolation and repetition of motifs found in the backgrounds of miniatures, such as the lotus and bees, to create pattern-based optical illusions inspired by Tantric art. This is especially evident in her cosmic diagrams or mandalas. Her work is also influenced by Suprematism and Op Art. Throughout her practice, Fraser has worked with diverse materials from across the country, including chalk-based pigments from the Aravalli Hills and plant-based pigments such as indigo from southern India, using the pigments without mixing to create vibrant hues suggestive of the elements of nature.
She has also written and published a number of books, including a children’s book, Handmade in India (2006) and The Journey Within (2019), in addition to illustrating her husband William Dalrymple’s books, including City of Djinns (1993).
Fraser held her first solo exhibition in 1991 at Carma Galleries, New Delhi, and has subsequently shown her work at numerous group and solo shows, including Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi (2007); Grosvenor Gallery, London (2012, 2018); the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh (2016); India Art Fair, New Delhi (2015–18); Nature Morte, New Delhi (2019); and Abu Dhabi Art (2019). Her work is held in private and public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
At the time of writing, Fraser lives in New Delhi with her husband and three children. She also conducts workshops and teaches miniature painting in Jaipur.
Bibliography
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Olivia Fraser. “Background.” Accessed July 26, 2021. http://www.oliviafraser.com/background.html.
Chattopadhyay, Pallavi. “A Thousand Splendid Lotuses.” The Indian Express, June 8, 2018. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/a-thousand-splendid-lotuses-olivia-fraser-indian-miniatures-lotus-motif-rajasthan-folk-5208693/.
Grosvenor Gallery. “Olivia Fraser.” Accessed July 26, 2021. https://www.grosvenorgallery.com/artists/47-olivia-fraser/overview/.
Maddox, Georgina. “Olivia Fraser: In Minutiae.” The Hindu, June 1, 2018. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/olivia-fraser-in-minutiae/article24057293.ece.
Kalra, Vandana. “Forever Frames.” The Indian Express, November 27, 2019. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/forever-frames-6138784/.
Malhotra, Shruti Kapur. “Olivia Fraser.” Platform. Accessed September 16, 2021. https://www.platform-mag.com/art/olivia-fraser.html.
Nair, Uma. “Olivia Fraser’s Solo at Grosvenor Gallery, London Deconstructs the Iconic Lotus.” Architectural Digest, June 18, 2018. https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/olivia-frasers-solo-grosvenor-gallery-london-lotus-yoga/.
Saffronart. “Olivia Fraser.” Accessed September 16, 2021. https://www.saffronart.com/artists/olivia-fraser.
Sen, Sudeep. “A Historian and a Painter Chronicle the Subcontinent.” The Asian Age, November 22, 2019. https://www.asianage.com/books/221119/a-historian-and-a-painter-chronicle-the-subcontinent.html.
Soofi, Mayank Austen. “Olivia Fraser’s Painting Exhibition – Delhi Through the Eyes of a Firangi.” The Delhiwalla, March 22, 2007. http://www.thedelhiwalla.com/2007/03/22/olivia-frasers-painting-exhibition-delhi-through-firangi-eyes/.