New Map Room mural at RGS-IBG HQ

I knew this was happening but wasn't able to make it to the official opening...

A new mural was unveiled at the RGS HQ as part of the changes to the building which have been taking place for some time. It occupies part of the famous Map Room.

From the RGS news of the work:

London-based British-Indian artist Hormazd Narielwalla has collaborated with us to create the mural, 'Expanding Universe', an abstract body of work that will be displayed in the Map Room for the next five years.

The installation incorporates references from the Society’s historical archive, including monsters, sea creatures, and mythical characters that are popular in 15th-century cartography.

The mural also depicts themes of migration, discovery and colonialism embodied within geography and traditions of Western map-making, which has been inextricably linked with the Empire.

In discussing his work, Hormazd shared:

“When I started looking at these particular patterns as an installation I immediately thought of the universe and India within this…the painting installation I have created celebrates India’s successful mission to the moon as a symbol of its recovery from colonialism, but it also moves into a broader context of the expansive universe. I wanted this work to embody hope, joy, and colour – a story told through geometry and form.”

You can find out more here, and there are some tours led by Hormazd that can be booked.

Image from the RGS-IBG Facebook page.