Often I Miss You, Samsara, Folder Of Life and more..

NEWS

Often I Miss You

(work by Girjesh Kumar Singh)

Coomaraswamy Hall, of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai presents the works of the extremely talented sculptor, Girjesh Kumar Singh. This exhibition is titled 'Often I Miss You' and his artworks have a communicative quality. He holds the degree of B.F.A and believes there is a special understanding between him and the stone. 

This collection of artwork includes river pebbles, flowers, five granite plates from which he has created a galaxy and stars. Through this collection the artist wants to pay a tribute to nature and our mother land.

The show is on view till 12th October 2013.

Samsara Show

(Work by Radha Binod Sharma)

Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai presents a group show titled, ‘Samsara’. The show displays works by three upcoming artists with a variety of contemporary styles. 
The exhibition displays the paintings of Radha Binod Sharma, Jayesh Rathod and sculptures by Sumitabha Pal.

The artworks of the Radha Binod Sharma engage the viewer and compel them to observe  the paintings. Radha was born in Tripura and holds a diploma and post - diploma in painting. The artist has presented various solo exhibitions and also been a part of several group exhibitions. He has been awarded with 'Delfina Studio Trust' and the 'Charles Wallace India Trust Grant' for his skills.

Jayesh Rathod was born in Gujarat and holds a post - diploma from M. S. University Vadodara. He presents heart touching cityscapes through his paintings. The perfect outline and the use of warm acidic color tones make each artwork a priceless possession. He has been awarded with 'Elizabeth Greenshield' for his commendable artworks.

Sumitabha Pal is an outstanding sculptor and holds the degree of M.F.A and B.F.A. He has presented projects like 'Pointing Method of Stone Carving' and 'Ceramic Shell Casting'. He has been a part of various group exhibitions and has organised several solo exhibitions as well. He has been awarded with many accolades for his works.

The show is on view till 15th October 2013.

Folder of Life

(Work by Ranjit Kurmi)

Artland Gallery, Mumbai presents a solo show of art works by the immensely talented artist, Ranjit Kurmi. The artist has presented his thoughts and imagination through his creativity and colours.

Ranjeet was born in Mumbai and holds a Diploma in Fine Art. He loves paintings subjects that belong to our day to day lives. His works range from decorative art works  to realistic figures and non figurative works. Intense urban landscapes dominate his collection and he brings to life nuances of living in a metro through his works.

The show is on view till 30th October 2013.

(News reports by Sushma Sabnis)

FEATURE

To Make a Difference

C.D. Jain’s works underline the need to make the world a better place for children

(Artist CD Jain with his works)

On a large white canvas stands a young girl, her back to us. At her feet lie paddy to be harvested and around her head are numerous tiny figures of children with spades and sticks. The creation is one among artist C.D. Jain’s series on child labour. Since 1997, Jain has made children the subject of his work. Of the 400-odd pieces he has created since then, 32 are now at an exhibition titled ‘Mixed Realities of Forsaken Children’.

His lifework was spurred by an incident he witnessed in 1997 in Madurai, where a child sex worker sold flowers by day beside a hotel Jain was staying in. Thus disturbed, he spent the year after that speaking with children across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to build a casebook of interviews with child labourers. His first exhibition of paintings on the theme of children was held in Madurai in 1997 itself and was well appreciated. Jain says, he is by preference an oil painter but created his first works on paper. “The psychological aspect of doing so was to reflect the little strength children have against atrocities,” he says.

Jain’s current show features works from several series in various media. The first few are stark black and white works in charcoal and are smaller in comparison. The more expansive pieces span out in acrylic and have been selected from his “Homeless child”, “Bonded labour”, “Child marriage” and “Destitute child” series. The last depicts a solitary child beneath what appears to be a heavy cross, but could also be interpreted as standing at the crossroads. Jain says his Christian upbringing and its associated symbols do invariably find their way into his art. Most of Jain’s children are also seen in agrarian backgrounds, against trees and in fields. For instance, his “Benign Forest” series has a deep blue canvas chock-full of trees which surround a mother and her child. “That’s probably because I was raised in Kerala, and those images of rural life have stayed with me,” says Jain. He is now settled in Mumbai.

Jain is also a child educator who works to provide children a holistic education which prioritises art. His efforts have been primarily with street children. “We begin by just giving kids plain paper and crayons to express themselves however they choose. The change we see in them in just weeks is remarkable,” he says. These experiences of happiness among children are reflected in several of his pieces on display here. Bright block colours background playing kids—evidence enough of the simple joys of childhood. The exhibition is on at Durbar Hall Art Gallery from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. till October 14th 2013.

(Report by Esther Elias, Photo by Thulasi Kakkat)