Cities as a metaphor for artists

Cityscapes, busy streets, lifestyles people in the metros and their moods are nudging the idyllic countryside out of the teeming canvas of contemporary Indian art. Many artists who start off with pristine nature and lavish landscapes slowly move on to abstract studies of human forms and cities. However, now they reveal that the complex textures and shades of life and emotions in cities and the amazing architectural variety are giving them an array of creative options.

Haridwar, Kolkata, Varanasi, Mumbai and New Delhi - the venues of historical and political contrasts – form the core of artist Paramesh Paul's work. He meticulously chronicles their settings in the light of histories and events they are primarily associated with. Mumbai, for example, is painted in the backdrop of the 26/11 terrorist attacks, whereas Varanasi comes across a vivacious vision on the river Ganges.

The soul of city of Kolkata is captured in its temples. On the other hand, the capital is represented by multiple layers of history. The exposition, ‘Reflections of Quaint Cities’, has just been unveiled in the capital city earlier this week. Similarly, evolution of New Delhi is the theme for captivating compositions by more than 20 artists in ‘Developing Delhi’, a show curated by critic Suneet Chopra.

"Not the planners, but the laborers decide how (and in which direction) the city should grow. We’ve captured the different perspectives of the city by several artists, including those from the US and China. The exhibition has a non-celebrity element. The artists have turned to ordinary people to document its journey."

Artist Gregory Thielkar from the US has been in India for last eight months on a scholarship, and is recording the Grand Trunk Road Project history with photographs, sketches and how own narratives about the road. For young Satadru Sovan, ‘the city and the enveloping cyberspace fuel creativity’. He depicts gothic colonial buildings and youths discussing their habitats through social networks.