Jo Dixon’s latest exhibition, hosted by Zari Gallery, London, is a collection of paintings from recent visits to India. Many of these journeys were with her husband, a GP, and a number of other doctors. Their objective was to learn about various forms of complementary medicine and for them to transfer the practice of treatments, such as yoga and Ayurvedic medicine, into their local settings in the UK. These expeditions were part of a wider vision, supported and encouraged by HRH The Prince of Wales, that orthodox and complementary medicine should become integrated.
Some of these expeditions were organised by Dr. Mosaref Ali in Delhi and North India. Others were hosted by Dr. Issac Mathai in Southern India, where he introduced Jo to the Ragi threshers, and Mr Puttu Chittiappa, who arranged visits to Coorg and Ooty, to visit the tea and coffee plantations. Travelling with these friends enabled Jo to have an intimacy with the local people and surroundings that would not have been possible otherwise.
The characters in Jo’s paintings reveal a dignity and depth of spirituality which appears biblical in nature – not surprising perhaps as many of the villages have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. The artist uncovers a society which may be poor in Western terms but retains an intrinsic beauty that is dignified and mystical.
