Artwork
Contribution to V&A's 150th anniversary album
Contribution to V&A's 150th anniversary album is a drawing by Nitin Sawhney. It dates from 2007 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. In 2007 the Victoria and Albert Museum marked the 150th anniversary of its South Kensington premises by publishing a commemorative album.
About this work
Nitin Sawhney drew a page for the V&A’s 150th birthday album in 2007. The museum asked artists to pick one object or idea that meant the most to them. He chose a drawing to answer.
The album became a time capsule of 150 different creative voices. Each page shows how one person connects to the museum’s long history.
Look next at artist Sawhney, Nitin.
Overview
In 2007 the Victoria and Albert Museum marked the 150th anniversary of its South Kensington premises by publishing a commemorative album. One hundred fifty creators from fields such as art, design, architecture and photography each contributed a single page, offering a personal response to the museum’s collections and mission.
Subject & Meaning
Nitin Sawhney, a composer and multidisciplinary artist, selected a single drawing as his contribution. The brief invited participants to focus on an object or concept that resonated most deeply with them, allowing Sawhney to articulate his connection to the V&A through visual means.
Technique & Style
Sawhney’s entry consists of a hand‑drawn illustration, executed in a style that reflects his eclectic background. The work is presented on a single sheet, adhering to the album’s format, and demonstrates a direct, graphic approach rather than a complex mixed‑media composition.
History & Provenance
The drawing was created specifically for the museum’s anniversary project and was incorporated into the limited‑edition album that functions as a time capsule of contemporary creative voices. The album remains part of the V&A’s archival holdings, documenting the institution’s milestone celebration.
Context
The 150‑year celebration invited a broad spectrum of practitioners to reflect on the V&A’s influence, positioning the museum as a living repository of design heritage. Sawhney’s contribution sits alongside 149 other pages, each revealing a distinct personal dialogue with the museum’s extensive collections.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nitin Sawhney holed up in his London studio late at night, cigarette smoke curling around stacks of sketchbooks he never opened in daylight.
