Ramkinkar Baij Retrospective, Abstracted Landscapes, Transformation Transmigration and more..

NEWS

Ramkinkar Baij Retrospective

(Sculptor Ramkinkar Baij)

Akar Prakar art gallery, Kolkata presents the third edition of its series of the Great Master’s art exhibitions, showcasing Ramkinkar Baij, a legendary figure in Indian art. The previous two exhibitions highlighted works of Nandalal Bose and of Benodebehari Mukherjee. 

Through these exhibitions many aspects and stages of their lives, so far little known, could be brought to light. A similar attempt is being made to present the art- loving people with Ramkinkar Baij. 

The show is on view till 2nd November 2013.

Abstracted Landscapes

(A work by Vinita Karim)

Jamaat Art Gallery, Mumbai presents a group show of art works by Indian and Bangladeshi artists. The six talented artists display a range of exquisite works in abstraction. Of the four Indian artists one is from Goa, two from Pune, one from Mumbai. Two eminent artists from Bangladesh also are included in the show.

The works on display are inspired by nature and landscapes, as is seen in the case of abstractionists. Minimalism also features in some of the works, making this an elegant display.

The participating artists are Antonio E Costa, Anu Kulkarni, Krishna Pulkundwar, Pandurang Tathe, Salahuddin Kazi, Vinita Karim.

The show is on view till 4th November 2013.

Village Life

(A print by Ramhau Dongare)

Gallery Pradarshak, Mumbai presents a solo show of prints ‘Village Life’ by printmaker and artist, Rambhau Dongare, who is also the principal of Dadaji Aher Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya, Dwarka, Nashik. Rambhau’s works on display his affiliation and upbringing in a rural milieu. His works on display primarily prints depict the rural life and simplicity of village 

people.

Most of the works on display are prints which are rendered with definitive precision and skill of many years of diligent art practice. Rambhau’s works are vibrant and sharp intheir visual appeal and simple in their depictions.

The show is on view till 12th October 2013.

Transformation Transmigration

(A work by Asuka Nirasawa - Cell)

Five Forty Five Gallery, Bangalore presents a solo show of art works by artist Asuka Nirasawa. Asuka reflects on the cycle of life in her series which are in four separate sections titled, Cell, Creature, Sin and Incarnation.Through the cycle, one lives different lives even though one began as a cell till death and reincarnation.

Her works are a visual treat and explode with energy and metaphors, with every element of the individual paintings replete with meaning. She uses creatures to depict human emotions and existential struggles.

Asuka Nirasawa was born in Osaka, Japan and completed her B.A in Fine Art from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts And Music (2001 - 2005). This is her first solo exhibition in India.

The show is on view till 1st november 2013.

(News reports by Sushma Sabnis)

FEATURE

Murals for the people

C.D. Dileep hopes to add currency to mural painting

(C.D. Dileep and A. Hariharan)

C.D. Dileep’s group of eight students are hard at work. A mural artiste, Dileep is teaching the students of Flora, Vanross Junction, the intricacies of mural inspired paintings.

Based in Guruvayur, Dileep runs Swastik Mural Paintings, a banner that is familiar amongst mural lovers, with his classmate and friend A. Hariharan. They conduct classes in painting in the mural style. They have students in India and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

(Work done by C.D. Dileep and A. Hariharan)

“Learning to paint in the mural style is a fad now. However, some of the teachers conducting classes are not trained in the field. As a result, we are losing the aesthetics and traditions of the art form; we want to train students in the right method. In fact, Hariharan is in UAE right now, teaching a group of students,” says Dileep.

Alumni of the Guruvayor Devaswom’s Institute of Mural Painting, they started their institution in 2005, right after graduation. “We wanted to add currency to mural paintings and Swastik is a step towards the direction,” says Dileep, who hails from Kannur.

A rank holder from the institute, Dileep hopes to expand the art form and give it visibility but “without letting the traditional art slip away.”

His canvas is any willing material: pillars, asbestos sheets, saris, flutes, pots... And while traditional images, especially those of Radha and Krishna and of Ganapathy are popular, he has added contemporary themes to the list. For instance, the mural-styled painting of a vallamkalli at the office of the State Bank of India, Pattom, was done by Dileep and Hariharan.

(Work done by C.D. Dileep and A. Hariharan)

“In mural art, team work is essential as you are covering a large area. Hariharan and I have painted the entire Vishnupuranam on a wooden sculpture of an elephant” says Dileep. “When Hariharan and I first started out, we had to go out in search of work; now, work seeks us.”

“We will be conducting an exhibition of our latest works at the upcoming Dubai Shopping Festival.”

What next? “We hope to turn Swastik into a large scale art gallery, where art of all kinds can be displayed.”

Contact Dileep: 9446234615

(Report by Liza George for The Hindu)