Thursday, August 19, 2010

‘Three Worlds’ by Owais Husain

Artist Owais Husain probably has the most recognizable surname when it come to Indian art. MF Husain, his father remains the country's most established and the most popular modern painter. He is now in exile after receiving death threats for his offensive paintings as perceived by religious hardliners.

While Husain sr. is in Qatar, perhaps destined not to return to his home country, his youngest son is incidentally keeping the legacy alive on the art scene.Owais Husain is showing a diverse body of work at Tao Art Gallery. It is his first solo in Mumbai for nearly 10 years, drawing rave reviews. Renowned galleriest Dadiba Pundole, has been quoted as saying: "He does not carry the baggage of being an illustrated father's son.” Pundole gallery had shown many of his father’s works in the past.

Comparing the two, the expert notes: “He has a different approach to painting. It’ more intense in a sense, and tends to be autobiographical in nature. This makes it difficult to get into the work to some degree. However, the element of the narrative is strong."Owais Husain's show is entitled ‘Three Worlds’. On view are his works revolving around photography, music, sculptures, poetry, and multi-media installations. Describing how ‘the exiled artist's son is keeping the name alive’, an AFP report states:
“In a room in the basement of the gallery, the walls are scrawled with messages. In the centre, two beds are covered with balls of red wool, as music -- also his own composition -- floats through loud speakers. The influence of his father can be seen, as he admits to being ‘fascinated by the imagery of the (human) figure’. The 94-year-old, once described as "the pioneer of post-Independence Indian modern art", gave up his Indian citizenship earlier this year. Owais Husain seems reluctant to talk about his father, saying only that he advised him against embarking on a career as a painter.”
Owais Husain states he never wants people to follow exactly what he is saying, but he still yearns for a response from them.

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