By Raine Blunk
Brown Dog Market’s show “A Journey to India” at Cohen’s Retreat invited guests to explore a gallery of 11 rooms furnished with exotic art, lighting and furniture.
The opening was set in the context of a story created by the gallery about a royal couple that narrowly escaped British control in India and sailed to the American South, bringing with them treasured belongings and cherished memories of their lost home.
In the story, all cities and homes in the South have been destroyed except for one—an abandoned plantation house in Savannah. The couple furnishes the house with sentimental items to transform the abandoned space.
The rooms featured original works from 12 local artists, including Scott Griffin, Bellamy Murphy, and alumnus Marcus Kenney.
Lush textiles and eclectic paintings covered the walls of each room, thoughtfully complementing the surrounding beds and couches. Each space was arranged with grandiose furniture and cultural knick-knacks to expose guests to Indian culture.
Alumna Samantha Burke walked into the gallery with the fictional narrative in mind, saying the story (which was featured on the Facebook event page before the event) enhanced her experience of the showcase.
“It felt like I stepped into some beautiful other world where I got a peek at someone else’s life,” said Burke. “I know it wasn’t real, but it was so much fun to pretend it was.”
Guests wore traditional saris and kurtas to the opening reception as they journeyed through the gallery and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres provided by Form gourmet catering. A sitar player performed traditional Indian songs as passersby explored the rooms.
With every room set up like authentic Indian living spaces, the opening reception of “A Journey to India” was more than just an art show—it was an imperial housewarming party to celebrate a fictitious couple’s new royal home.
“A Journey to India” will be up until May 3 at the Cohen’s Retreat on 5715 Skidaway Road.