In the autumn of 2010 and for the first time in France, the London based Saatchi Gallery will present more than 60 works from its famous contemporary art collection, assembled for the exhibition entitled "The Silk Road" [La Route de la Soie]. The event is organised by lille3000 and takes place at the Tripostal, from October 20th to
January 23th 2011.

The Saatchi Gallery, founded by Charles Saatchi in 1985, now occupies the Duke of York’s HQ in Chelsea, London. At 70,000 square feet, it is the world’s largest entirely free entry contemporary art gallery, attracting over one and a quarter million visitors a year.

By championing the work and largely unseen artists, as well as displaying rarely exhibited work by international names, the Saatchi Gallery has built up one of the most stimulating and up-to-date art collections in the world.  Over the last two and a half decades its pioneering exhibitions have showcased work by over 200 artists and provided a unique springboard for young unknowns to bring their work to a wider audience, launch their careers and, as with the likes of Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons, go on to acquire international fame. For many years the Saatchi Gallery has had a major influence on the international contemporary art scene, influencing and inspiring both the current and next generation of artists and art lovers.

"The Silk Road" : a reference to the ancient trade routes between Asia and Europe which linked in particular China and the Middle East via India from the 2nd century before Christ… Three regions whose contemporary works of art arouse increasing interest in the international art world.
The exhibition will offer an extensive view of this recent artistic work through paintings, sculptures, photographs and installations by Chinese, Indian, Iranian, Palestinian, Lebanese, Egyptian, Afghan and Pakistani artists.

"The Silk Road" explores an Oriental art that is resolutely contemporary and is the expression of societies in change, caught between age old cultural traditions and an overwhelming modernity.

The works of Subodh Gupta, presented in the exhibition, echo back to the monumental installation God Hungry, commissioned by lille3000, installed in the church of Sainte Marie-Madeleine since 2006 and purchased recently by the City of Lille with de support of AGRR La Mondiale and La Mondiale Foundation.