What a wonderful world, Symphonic Convergence and more..

NEWS

What a Wonderful World

(Work on display)

Hirji Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai presents a show titled ‘What a Wonderful World’ a solo show by Bharati Pitre.  Simple things from daily life catch the artist’s attention. Her art is a platform to express creativity without borders. It is an initiative where her world of art and inspiration integrate to create whimsical works of abstractions. 

Everyday life that stands out for its ordinariness cajoles her into metamorphosing it into extra-ordinariness. She is intrigued by people; their expressions, their body language et al. her images therefore are bound to evoke memories mixed with stories. She believes that everything you see around has a story to narrate, and that is exactly what she has tried to do in her work. It is a tribute to the wonderful life that we see around us, the beauty of which we choose to ignore. She has tried to find the beauty in those very intimate moments that people tend to share, whether it be the mother and the school going kid, the old couple that is holding on to each other in the fragile phase of their life, the newlyweds who are yet to explore or the solitary moment shared with a mere cup of tea. 

The show is on view from 25th to 31st December 2013.

A Journey to the Source

( Work on display)

The Promenade Lounge, Kolkata presents a solo show of upcoming artists Sunanda Chakraborty.  Titled, ‘A journey to the source’ the works on display portray the inner mind workings of this artist. The works are rendered in acrylics on canvas and are vibrant in colour and form.

The show is on view till  22nd December 2013.

Symphonic Convergence

Muse Art Gallery, Hyderabad presents a show titled ‘Symphonic Convergence’. The show is a beautiful medley of art forms from across the city. Upcoming and eminent artists works have been displayed at the show. This is an end-of-year celebration of talent and art in Hyderabad. They are gathering various masters of different arts and crafts and presenting their work under one prestigious roof.

The participating artists are Pranati Khanna - New Media Art, Sarosh Master - Decoupage Craft, Salman Mohsin - Live Painting, Nirbhay Kuppu - Photography, Live Music by 'Shakwaves', Live music by 'Casey and The Coffeebean'. 

The show is on view till 31st December 2013.

(News reports by Sushma Sabnis)

FEATURE

Of war and peace

Paresh Hazra reflects on the two cyclical extremes of peace and violence in his latest series The Apple and The Lotus

( Work on display)

The half-eaten golden apple with hints of black looks tainted, almost evil. It hangs off a grey branch with ashen leaves in a grim, dark landscape. The only other spot of colour, in the strips of little gold orbs, appear like spotlights even as the figure of the woman, painted nude with her back to the canvas, comes into the limelight unwillingly. The marks on the bare back of the woman, are evidence of the negativity violently unleashed.

The background is a thicket of black. This is one part of the latest series of paintings by Paresh Hazra, “The Apple And The Lotus” on view at Gallery Time and Space.

“The series is a commentary, in a small way, on woman’s issues. They’re insecure for the sake of their bodies, and by the attractions of man. That is what the apple represents, the mindset of man today,” says Hazra.

“But how long will the anger and violence go on? At some point there has to be peace.” And that is what the lotus series represents.

This series features serene human figures, often in loving companionship with another indicated through their gestures.

The human figures, with their bright skin and vibrant attire, are painted in his trademark style. Abstract motifs, often defined by zig-zagging lines fill the spaces around them. And the lotus, with its bleached tips against deep green stems represents serenity and peace, according to Hazra.

“There are lots of lotus ponds in Shantiniketan and I also keep a lotus pond in my house. I borrow from reality and I use my own imagination to paint. And my paintings are an experience, to be seen and felt, they don’t really have a story.”

The canvases, rendered uncommonly in old egg tempera, are rich and layered in their colours, textures and layers. And the backgrounds with their resonant metallic tones are filled with Hazra’s lyrical imagination and craftsmanship.

“The Apple And The Lotus” will be on view until December 30 at Gallery Time and Space, 55, Lavelle Road. For details, contact 22124117.

(Report by Harshini Vakkalanka for The Hindu)