First Pablo Picasso exhibition in Indian Ocean, with Beachcomber Resorts and Hotels, Mauritius
Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury proudly hosts iconic artwork until June 2019
April 2019…// Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, the luxury hotel group with eight properties in Mauritius, is delighted to announce that the first Pablo Picasso exhibition ever to be shown in the Indian Ocean, will continue its reign at Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury from now until June 2019. The exhibition was first brought to the island in January this year by the Blue Penny Museum in the island’s capital, Port Louis, and will now prolong its residency at the luxury hotel. Art lovers and culture vultures are invited to enjoy this iconic artwork as it makes its debut in paradise.
A tête-à-tête with Picasso
The concept of a Picasso display in Mauritius was initiated by art dealer Steve Sowamy and Director of Blue Penny Museum, Emmanuel Richon. Now the hugely successful exhibition is continuing for a further six months at the Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury: ten art works – ceramics, drawings and sculptures – have been selected and are now on show, presented in vitrines in the reception hall. ‘In welcoming these works, the Royal Palm is not only hosting an amazing exhibition (and yes, the works are for sale!), but we’re also offering guests the privilege of being able to actually live with them, to admire them at any time of day. It is a priceless gift,’ says Steve Sowamy.
Paving the way
Although born on the island, Steve has always lived in Europe where he has built up a solid reputation in his field. It was not until 2008 that he discovered the island of his birth. Shortly after that, he met Emmanuel Richon, director of the Blue Penny Museum, and together they set out to organise a Picasso exhibition. ‘We opened a doorway through this initiative. Mauritians are very curious to discover new cultures. There are existing financial and consulting structures to insure, transport and keep the works safe. Also, the island enjoys a select type of tourism and there are plenty of local enthusiasts. We have all we need to ramp up the island’s cultural scene’, confirms Sowamy.
A cultural hotspot
To prolong the dream, and also to raise the island to the rank of a ‘cultural pearl,’ Beachcomber stepped right into the adventure by offering to partner the exhibition. ‘We supported the project right from the start. Steve Sowamy is after all a client of the Royal Palm and the Trou aux Biches Beachcomber. We got to know each other and it was therefore quite natural that we should go along with the idea of prolonging the exhibition in our hotels. Picasso’s works are a perfect match for our iconic hotel, the Royal Palm,’ says Koogen Vythelingum, PR & Promotion Manager of the hotel group. This unique collaboration is a first for a Mauritian hotel, and Beachcomber are already considering other exhibitions of other great art masters of the 20th century.
Nightly rates at Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury in a Junior Suite start from €237/£204 per person sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. Call Beachcomber Tours on 01483 445 610 or visit www.beachcombertours.uk