Poster paint, gouache and gold dust on paper. 'Painting the Town Red' distinctively blends aspects of traditional Indian and contemporary British cultures. It depicts the victorious homecoming of the Liverpool football team set amid the occasion of the city's 'Tall Ships Festival', with decorative boats gliding on the waves of the river Mersey. Iconic buildings of the city, including the Anglican and Roman Catholic Cathedrals and the 'mushroom' tower, line the horizon. This work by the Singh Twins (Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh) illustrates the overwhelming popularity of football as Liverpudlians of all nationalities and ages unite to celebrate the event.
Originally commissioned for a football-themed exhibition to coincide with the European Championships in 1996, this work is inspired by the style and composition of traditional Mughal miniature painting. Features such as its vertical, hierarchical structure of figures, and its decorative floral border are typical of Court scenes in Persian and Mughal miniatures.
