New Delhi, Mar 6 (UNI) The French government has chosen veteran artist and Padma Shri Anjolie Ela Menon for the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) award.

The honour is in recognition of Ms Menon's contribution to the development of Indo-French relationship in the field of art.

The award is conferred on "persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution in influencing the arts in France and throughout the world,'' a release by the French Embassy said.

With over forty five solo shows in India, America, Russia, Germany, Hong Kong, France and England to her credit, Ms Menon's association with France began in the sixties when she joined the Ecole des Beaux Arts, Paris on a French government scholarship.

Her work has been acquired by several museums in India and abroad including the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, Benjamin Gray Museum, Peabody Essex Museum and the Asian Arts Museum in San Francisco.

She has also been a trustee of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and served on the advisory committee and art purchase committee of the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.

The award will be conferred upon Ms Menon tomorrow by French Ambassador Dominique Girard.

UNI