Painternet Collection Show, The Meaning of Return and more..

NEWS

Painternet Collection Show

( Works on display)

India’s 1st Online Art Gallery Painternet.com is all geared up to showcase its 3 decade collection of Master artists such as Hebbar, Vaikuntam, Madhvi Parekh amongst others at the Hirji Jehangir Art Gallery. This is also accompanied by the evocative work of Mr. Prashant Shah that brings alive the ancient and sacred tradition of Jain Heritage. 

It is an initiative to identify with the range of artists they have across different genres, the work and their humble stories. Painternet.com intends to design a creative interaction between artists, collectors, enthusiasts, critics and investors and create an ambiance that connects art to many hearts!

The show is on view from 19th March to 24th March 2014.

The Meaning of Return

( Work on display)

Mumbai Art Room presents a solo show of art work by artist Scott Myles. The show is titled, ‘The Meaning of Return’ and is curated by curator, Zasha Colah. The show presents a suite of prints made directly onto the walls of the Mumbai Art Room, which will be whitewashed away at the end of the exhibition, depicts an array of sculptural objects laid out across an expansive floor. 

In the current presentation by Scott Myles, (born 1975 in Dundee, Scotland) the public space of the gallery is likened to a ballet studio, a space of private performative gestures - like the artistic studio - for rehearsal, and trial. In the ballet studio, dancers were replaced with sculptures, composed of found objects like a wheelchair, or the wheels of a swivel-chair, and parts he fabricated himself to form his choreography of anthropomorphic performers in the space. The barres running horizontally may be read as a kind of horizon line, a bar for support and a line of stability, within a space of unlimited choreographic possibility for movement. 

The show is on view till 30th April 2014.

Living in Our Times

Open Palm Court Gallery, New Delhi presents a solo exhibition by Asmita Rajiv.  Asmita Rajiv, an International award-winning artist, focuses on depicting the stories of people, thereby transporting viewers from their comfort zones into a contemplative frame of mind. 

In her current series of paintings, titled, ‘Living In Our times’ she has brought on canvas the pains, triumphs, struggles, aspirations, joys and sorrows of common men and women in the urban space, thereby unraveling the poignant issues plaguing humankind. Her paintings have elements of symbolism, and each painting is accompanied by a poem that describes the story behind the painting.

The show is on view from 17th March to 21st March 2014.

Ode to the Monumental

(Workby Laxma Goud)

Hirji Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai and for the first time Saffronart, will treat Mumbai’s art aficionados to a group show dedicated to large scale,  life-size sculptural tableaus, paintings 25 ft tall and a 45 ft high video installation by the stalwarts of modern and contemporary Indian art.

The show ‘Ode to the Monumental:Celebration.Visuality.Ideology’ will feature canvas, sculpture and installation works by artists such as Jogen Chowdhury, KG Subramanyan, Krishen Khanna, Ram Kumar, Anandajit Ray, Jagannath Panda, Nataraj Sharma, Thota Vaikuntam, Satish Gujral and Laxma Goud, among others.

The show is on view till 18th March 2014.

(News reports by Sushma Sabnis)

FEATURE

Art in a nut shell

Saleem creates art from coconut shells

( Saleem; photo by Athira M)

On a hot afternoon on Eve’s beach, Kovalam, Saleem is busy working, polishing a coconut shell to perfection. Waiting patiently and conversing with him in English is Jarnne, a French tourist. Saleem is all ears and carries on the conversation in English, even as he tries to cut the coconut shell into small pieces. Apparently, Jarnne wants him to make a pendant for her chain. “He is very good…,” says Jarnne, who had met Saleem during one of her earlier visits to the beach.

As another tourist season is about to get over, Saleem is among the many craftsmen on the beach who will take to the sea to make a living. He is a well-known figure on the beach, thanks to his craftsmanship in making strikingly aesthetic curios and jewellery from coconut shell. “I have been doing this for 15 years,” says Saleem, who hails from Kovalam itself.

In fact, the self-taught craftsman is a fisherman who goes fishing in the sea off Kovalam once the tourist season gets over. “I was 35 when I first began experimenting with coconut shells. I just felt that I could make something out of this. Candle stands, ash trays and finger rings filled my home. A few tourists happened to see the products and were impressed by my work. They encouraged me to make more products. Gradually it became a source of income during the tourist season,” he says.

Now at 52, he seems to have got quite a good clientele. “People buy the products because they know it is handmade,” he says.

However, he doesn’t market the products through any outlets. “I prefer to work like this, taking my own time to finish each item. I don’t think I will be able to meet the deadline if I take orders from shops or other places,” he says.

He makes delicate containers with filigree-like work, candle stands, flower vases, pendants, bangles and the like. One of his standout pieces is a metal container adorned with finely crafted coconut shells on them. “I buy a regular metal tin. Coconut shells are cut into square shaped pieces and stuck to the tin. Sometimes I make a small hole on each piece which is then filled with small pieces of the shell of tender coconut. These containers can be used to keep anything, be it tea dust, coffee powder, trinkets, jewellery…,” he says.

Axo blade, sand paper and saw are used to make the products. The craft is something that Saleem holds close to his heart, so much so that he doesn’t allow us to take photograph of his products. “They are exclusive…,” he says with a smile.

Saleem also takes tourists for a ride on his catamaran. “I have got the licence issued by the Port Office. I, along with my partner, take two tourists at a time for the ride,” he says.

The father of four has studied till class nine. But he can speak English and Tamil quite well. 

( Report by Athira M for The Hindu)

Serigraphs, Songs of Spring and more..

NEWS

Serigraphs

The Viewing Room, Mumbai presents the exquisite serigraphs of three renowned artists. The show titled, ‘Serigraphs’ displays the works of three artists who have contributed to the Indian art scene over the years. The artists are Jehangir Sabavala, Ram Kumar and Sakti Burman. 

The show previews on 13th March and is on view till 29th March 2014.

Facebook of Reclaimed Identities

Open Palm Court Art Gallery, New Delhi presents a solo show titled, ‘Facebook of Reclaimed Identities’. The show displays the art works of eminent artist Puja Kshatriya.
The show features distinct styled portraits of people the artist has been inspired by creating an intense archiving of human faces.

The show is to be inaugurated by Michael Heinz, Director, Austrian Cultural forum and previews on 25th March at 5:30 pm. 

The show is on view till 27th March 2014.

Songs of Spring

Kynkyny Art Gallery, Bangalore presents a show titled, ‘Songs of Spring’ a solo show of art works by artist Dhrubajyoti Baral. Dhrubajyoti's lilting, colour-soaked tempera dreamscapes, alive with birds, trees and animals, conjure the lush abundance of nature in full bloom. His trademark lovers embody the fevered enchantment, longing and intoxication that the season ushers in. 

The show previews on 15th March 2014 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and the show continues to be on view till 27th March 2014.

(News reports by Sushma Sabnis)

FEATURE

State of affairs

B.D. Dethan’s painting exhibition, ‘Avastha’, is a dispassionate look at the deterioration of society

(Artist B.D. Dethan with his works. Photo by S. Gopakumar)

A glass filled with liquid has a disembodied human face floating at the bottom, while psychedelic shapes frolic in the background. The spires of a monument rise high above a city skyline, only to emphasise the large arms and face of a forlorn looking entity captured between them. These are examples of the imagery that currently adorn the walls of the Suryakanti Art Gallery at Sasthamangalam, where an exhibition of artist B.D. Dethan’s works is underway.

Dethan explains that the series, titled ‘Avastha’, is a reflection of his emotions related to the times we live in. “Society is at a point where basic values such as kindness and compassion are hard to come by. Open a newspaper or switch on the television and most of the things we see are appalling. It is this frame of mind that gave birth to this series, and while I have tried to keep my emotions and work separate, some things do seep through,” he says, pointing out the many vices he has depicted on canvas. The face in the glass is his take on the effects of alcoholism.

Other images border on the abstract as half-formed human shapes merge with those of animals and human vanity is represented through a clown-like visage that peeps out through a frame.

Dethan’s disdain for the trend of elevating men to the status of gods is evident in yet another work, while a museum exhibit of busts and remnants of civilisations is accompanied by his thoughts on time and culture. “We have seen many cultures come and go, and eventually this is all that is left,” he says indicating the painting, “it is meant to remind us that everything in the world perishes eventually, except time, which is the only constant.”

From civilisations to the present day, he makes an interesting observation on people’s reliance on medicines. “We are in a situation where we are often forced to take medicines and then suffer the side effects in some form. It is not something we can entirely avoid but not something that is particularly good either.” The work in question shows a human foot poised to crush a bottle of pills, deterred by a razor sharp blade waiting above the bottle, promising retribution.

Dethan goes on to elaborate his views on art in general. “I don’t believe painting is just a fine art anymore. Take the example of Picasso, where he fused cycle parts together to create art,” he says, referring to the Spanish artist’s ‘Bull’s Head’ artwork, where he represented the face and horns of a bull using a bicycle seat and handlebars. “The creative vision that led him to see that work where others saw just a jumble of cycle parts, that is what is paramount in an artist. Paint and canvas are no longer the only medium to express one’s vision.”

The exhibition is on at the Suryakanti Art Gallery till March 31. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. except on Sundays.

(Report by Sooraj Rajmohan for The Hindu)

The New Romantics, Deft Spaces and more..

NEWS

The New Romantics

Following the popular tradition, Kynkyny Art, Bangalore presents an evocative and delightful take on the world of contemporary relationships with all their attendant magic and chaos with our next show, The New Romantics.  

For centuries, art has been inspired by the idea of love, and relationships have been an overarching preoccupation, from the ancient Greek sculptures of Eros and Psyche and the sensuous scriptures of Khajuraho to the sublime paintings of Venus created during the Italian Renaissance. 

The show is on view till 8th March 2014.

Glimpse Into The Infinity

(Work on display)

Open Palm Court Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi presents a group of eminent artists  with their exhibition called ‘Glimpse into the Infinity’. The exhibition will feature some exquisite contemporary to traditional styles, acrylic on canvas works and sculptures.

The artists featured in the show are Amit Kumar, Anand Kumar, Anup Kumar Singh, Pawan Sharma, Praphulla Bharti, Reena Singh, Syed Ali, Vibha Singh, Vivek Kumar, Yatindra Jasmathiya. 

The show was inaugurated by eminent artist Jai Zarotia and is on view till 15th February 2014.

Deft Scapes

(Work on display)

Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi presents a solo photography exhibition by Delhi based artist Nitin Gera, titled, ‘Deft Scapes’. This is a self-curated show of limited edition archival prints. The works on display are characterised with fine details and deliberate aesthetics that compel a viewer to engage with the surface of the photographic artwork.

Nitin Gera employs the medium of photography exclusively and has worked on a number of assignments covering adventure sports.

The show is on view till 21st February 2014.

There Is Only Time

Artz Fine Art Gallery, New Delhi,  presents a painting and sculpture exhibition by Art and Life. The exhibition displays the works of 12 artists from Orissa, UP, New Delhi, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The show is titled, ‘There Is Only Time’.

The participating artist are Nikunja Bihari Das, Praveen Saini, Karuna Priya, Juhi Panchal, Mohit Madhur, Pradeepta Das, Keshav Vernoti, Raghu Jena, Ritu Chopra, Satya Ranjan, Vinod Patel. 

The show is on view till 23rd February 2014.

(News Reports by Sushma Sabnis)

FEATURE

Faith in focus

In the pipeline is a multi-disciplinary project that will demonstrate the comfortable co-existence of the past and the present.

(Work by Kapil Sharma)

At a time when everybody is taking note of the contemporary Indian art world and its engagement with urban issues, here is an exercise taking an alternative route. Touching the spiritual dimension of India, Martin Gurvich, Director, The Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) in Belgium, together with Sushma K. Bahl, has created “Forms of Devotion: The Spiritual in Indian Art (2015 – 2020)”, a project that focuses on devotional and spiritual art of the nation. A grand exhibition, a book and a film will take a definite shape by next year and will then be launched in India at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. The project will then travel for five years around the world before it reaches its destination, the Sacred Art Museum in Durbuy. “By then our permanent building to house the Indian collection will be ready where it will be exhibited,” says Martin, whose interest in Indian art was triggered after he joined ISKCON. Even in Durbuy, the museum is located within the ISKCON campus.

(Work by Radha Gomaty)

In the last few years, he has been guided by curator Sushma Bahl in this zeal. “I know there is a danger of it being looked at as archaic but these works raise questions about today. Each work was selected for the ethos it evoked. Vivek Vilasini’s work is about devotion and how we treat it. We have also broken down the compartments of tribal, folk, contemporary, new media, etc,” says Sushma, who adds that the planned book would also have similar content. “It has 12 essays by people like Devdutt Patnaik, who talks about popular culture; George Michell talks about sculpture and architecture, Mushirul Hasan will give a historical perspective on it.” The two-volume book titled “Forms of Devotion” designed as a boxed set of 500-plus pages each, will document a substantive collection of Indian art held in MOSA in Belgium and its branch in Florence, Italy.

The collection comprises around 200 artworks by more than 100 artists from different regions of India. The works have been culled out by the curators from the exhaustive collection of Martin that boasts over a thousand works. In varied media and mostly by living artists, there are paintings, drawings, collage, digital work, sculptures, installations, videos, films, as well as sound, interactive, site specific, and mixed media works by the likes of S.H. Raza, Satish Gujral, Shuvaprasanna and senior artists Paresh Maity, Yusuf Arakkal, Arpana Caur, etc.

(Work by Vineet Kacker)

“There are Warli artists, Madhubani art, miniatures by artists from Udaipur, Pichwais, Gond art, Tanjore works. There is a project on the Ganga that three women artists had exhibited at IGNCA last year which has digital art, photography ad sculptures. The project on Kabir by Shabnam Virmani has videos and photos so it is really an exhaustive collection. What’s unique about India is that modernism and past co-exist well. And no matter how far it goes in terms of progress, its connection with spirituality will never go away and a lot of people around the world are eager to know more about this. The project will cater to those people,” says Martin.

Other elements
It will also have a film, “Studios of Devotion” by Goutam Ghose, which will probe the ‘nature’ of devotion and artists who make devotional art. It will give a glimpse into their world capturing what it is that inspires them.

A festival of spiritual arts is also on the agenda which with its representation of various faiths and their aural traditions aims to encourage inter-faith dialogue.
The project will be launched in India in January 2015.

( Report by Shailaja Tripathi for The Hindu)