Temporary Custodians III, Nocturnal Explorations show, Timeless Traditional Art and more

NEWS


Exploring the Self: Temporary Custodians III

(Exploring The Self: Temporary Custodians III Show)

The Apparao Galleries, Chennai have an ongoing event titled the ‘Temporary Custodians’ which is an attempt by the gallery to bring out the art works in private collections of their esteemed art buyers, to be displayed and appreciated.

In its third series titled, ‘Exploring the Self’, the gallery presents a collection by great masters and well known contemporaries of today from India and all over the world. The works comprise a mammoth display of paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and installations and is the gallery's attempt at rejuvenating the art market interest.

 The works on display are by artists, Akbar Padamsee, Alexis Kersey, Anita Talwar, Anjolie Ela Menon, Arpana Caur, K H Ara, Arpita Singh, Ashok Bhowmic, Ashoke Mullik, Bhupen Khakar, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Chittrovanu Majumdar, Dhruvi Acharya, Dileep Sharma, C. Douglas, Gobardhan Ash, Haku Shah, Hemen Mazumdar, M F Husain, Imtiaz Dharkar, G R Iranna, Jatin Das, George K, Jaya Ganguly,  Jayshree Burman, Jehangir Sabavala,  Jitish Kallat, Krishna Prasad, S Kumar, Maya Burman,  Manu Parekh, Muninda, Nandini Valli, Navjot, Nikhil Paul, Paramjit Singh, Pawan Ranjalkar, Pramod Kumar, A Ramamchandran, K S Rao, Reddappa Naidu, Rekha Rodwittiya, Sakti Burman, T V Santosh, Shankar Kendale, Shipra Bhattacharya, F N Souza, K G Subramanyan, Suhas Roy, Sultana Hasan, Sunil Padwal, Thota Vaikuntam, Vasundara Tiwari, Vivan Sundaram, Vrindavan Solanki and Yusuf Arakkal.

For more information about the show, please call on+919941012388/ 9941012374.

The show is on view till the 21st of July 2013.

Bringing in new talent

(A work on display at Pradarshak gallery)

Gallery Pradarshak, Mumbai presents a group show of art works by upcoming and emerging artists. The show displays an array of new age abstract works by the young artists and ascends the style in various interpretations, techniques and treatment of the canvases.

The show is a part of the ongoing Vidyarthi Vishesh 2013 event that the gallery conducts, in order to bring out fresh new talent from the remote corners of the villages and cities, to display under one roof and on an equal platform.

The participating artists are Prakash Date, Sonal Salekar, Pallavi Pawaskar among others. 

The show will be on view till the 13th of July 2013.

Beyond Printmaking

(A work by Paula Sengupta)

Ganges Art Gallery, Kolkatta, presents a group show of prints made by eminent women printmakers of the country today. The show is titled, ‘The Print & Beyond’ and will display a large number of prints in various techniques employed.

On display will be serigraphs, linocuts, woodcuts prints. The participating women artists  - print makers are, Paula Sengupta, Nandini Chirimar, Rajarshi Sengupta, Moutushi Chakraborty and Jayashree Basak.

The show will be inaugurated by Mr Pranab Ranjan Roy and Mr Chander and Mrs Aruna Dhanuka at 6 :30 pm on the 16th of July 2013.

The show is on view for public till the 14th of August 2013.

Nocturnal Explorations Show

(Shridharani gallery)

Shridharani Art Gallery, New Delhi presents a solo show of paintings by artist Virendra Kumar. The show is titled,‘Nocturnal Explorations’ and the artist tries to focus on the changing visage of a city in the night. Fascinating and almost fantastical in nature, the cityscape of the night often metamorphoses into myriad moods on canvas andthe colour palette changes as well into more subdued hues and shades.

The overall visuals in the show are gripping and captivating also thought provoking  making the viewer rethink the landscape whcih one tends to ignore in the day, look so alluring in the night.

The show is on view till the 10th of July 2013.


( News reports by Sushma Sabnis)


FEATURE

Timeless Traditional Art

The collection is a unique blend of religion, colour and craft.

( Mysore Glass painting)

Glowing with muted radiance in countless homes and temples for more than 200 years, Thanjavur art and Mysore glass paintings have celebrated stories from the epics and the imagery of gods and goddesses in a unique amalgamation of art, religion, colour and craft. The artists who perfected Thanjavur art in the Maratha court of King Serfoji and Mysore glass art at the ateliers of the Mysore maharajas have also left behind a pictorial record of the ruling monarchs, courtiers and aristocracy, the fashions, foibles and artefacts of the era in a series of frames many of which have survived to this day in museums and family archives. One such collection is that of S. Subbarao’s Thanjavur and Mysore glass art, which is more than 100-150 years old. The 50-60 strong collection is being displayed at an exhibition titled ‘Antique Paintings and Prints’ which opens at Lakshmi Ethiraj Art Gallery today.

( Mysore Glass painting)

While most of the antique paintings have been restored to their original look, a few wait to be touched up - their flaking paint, faded patches and broken frames wearing the timeless charm and patina of history. Among the masterpieces of Thanjavur art are a resplendent Lakshmi done in pink, Serfoji with his queen dressed in hand block printed and zari bordered robes, a 24” x15” Vinayaka – a study in impeccable brush strokes and a harmonious blending of soft vegetable colours. Subtly painted Radha Krishna in Ras Leela, a wonderful 150-year-old Siva Parvati and a ‘butter Krishna’ are many of the gems on view. But the highlight is the Raja Rani portrait with the Raja bedecked in embroidered toppi and sherwani strewn with rose motifs.

(Mysore glass painting)

The Mysore glass painting section casts its own spell. The pictures of Satyanarayana with Narada and a 150-year-old Kamadhenu are perfect in their harmony of line colour and the story they tell. The portrait of Ramar Pattabishekam is in aesthetic perfection while Radha Krishna frames captivate with their sense of muted colourful movement.

According to artisan Syed Mohammad Salim, who has restored many of the paintings, the focus is to keep the ‘antique’ look. “To make the colours look dull in a Thanjavur painting we mix a little white in all the colours. And for the old gold effect we paint over with a coat of orange. The brush strokes should be very light to get the antique effect and for the embossed look we use chalk powder and Arabic gum which was traditionally used. I use enamel colours for glass art. I create the base with white water-based plastic emulsion and then paint in dull colours to match the old vegetable dyes. Damaged frames are restored by wood craft artisans. Antique Paintings and Prints has a section of old Ravi Varma prints of Saraswati and Lakshmi dressed in specially created saris with gold motifs. Also on display are antique original litho prints. In tune with the antique theme the exhibition presents pen and ink sketches of old Madras and a cross section of its people.

Also on view are antique 150-year-old frames of teak wood, rose wood, zari, stained glass pieces and beaten brass. Antique Paintings and Prints is on at Lakshmi Ethiraj Art Gallery to the 15th July 2013. Contact 98400 92435 for further details.

(Report by Pushpa Chari and Photos by R Shivaji Rao, The Hindu)