Sheltered: at MAXXI L’Aquila, the artist Annu Palakunnathu Matthew reveals the untold story of the Indian soldiers saved by the Abruzzo families during the Second World War

Last October 7, on the occasion of the Contemporary Day, a meeting was held at the MAXXI L’Aquila which, apparently, has little contemporary value because it brings to light events from around 80 years ago. Events that create a very close connection between two countries – Italy and India – which, especially at the time, could not have seemed further apart, yet they fatally crossed the fate of many Italians and many Indians. But few know the story of the 2.5 million Indians who fought alongside their colonizers, the British, during the Second World War, many of whom lost their lives or were taken prisoner on the Italian front while almost simultaneously tens of thousands of Italian soldiers were taken by the British to prison camps in India.

Bringing this story to light is the artist of Indian origins Annu Palakunnathu Matthew who has developed an artistic practice in which, starting from archive photos, she questions the past above all the lesser-known one to examine historical narratives and the effects of colonization (…).

By Maria Teresa Capacchione

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