The God of Small Things Faith and Popular Culture
Raja Ravi Varma, India 1848–1906 / Ravi Varma Press, Karla-Lonavla, India / Sheshnarayan printed 1894–1930 / Oleograph with Zardosi embroidery / 50.8 x 35.56cm / Purchased 2024 with funds from the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Trust through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / View full image
When
20 Sep 2025 – 5 Oct 2026
Where
Queensland Art Gallery & Galleries 5 & 6 (Henry and Amanda Bartlett Galleries)
About
'The God of Small Things: Faith and Popular Culture' draws its title from Arundhati Roy's evocative novel to explore the omnipresence of faith in the mundane and extraordinary alike. Centred around a rare collection of embellished oleographs by Raja Ravi Varma (India, 1848-1906), the exhibition delves into the intersection between devotional imagery and popular culture, capturing the divine as a living part of everyday life.
Works from the QAGOMA contemporary Asian collection complement and extend this dialogue, through the juxtaposition of religious and vernacular iconographies with contemporary reflections on belief.
QAGOMA has embarked on a landmark conservation and research exchange with colleagues in India to document and conserve a rare collection of Ravi Varma works. Specialists from QAGOMA’s conservation team will collaborate with the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP), Bengaluru, to share expertise and deepen cultural ties. QAGOMA’s conservation and research exchange is supported by the Centre for Australia-India Relations. QAGOMA is proud to be a recipient of a Centre for Australia-India Relations Maitri grant.