New Delhi’s Kumar Gallery presents an eclectic mix of works done by India’s renowned and upcoming artists. Its annual show is aptly titled ‘Celebration 2011’. Here is a look at some of the artists whose works feature in it:
B Prabha largely worked in oil. Her signature style was marked by the graceful elongated figures of pensive rural women on a canvas done in a single dominant color. Her paintings explored the emotional realm of Indian women, seeking inspiration from the mental strength exhibited by them under adversities in day-to-day life.
Master-abstractionist Sohan Qadri, averse to creating figurative visuals, prefers to employ signs that are reminiscent of tantric and ritual symbolism. It epitomizes dynamic and flowing energy (Shakti) His practice transforms the very nature of paper - no longer a mere two-dimensional surface, but a dazzling three-dimensional medium.
Considered one of the most talented contemporary artists, Paresh Maity is a wonderful watercolorist. He captures both the beauty of nature and complexities of the human form. The imagery turned more abstract over time. His works exude great evanescent beauty as captured by him during his sojourns all around India and the world.
Young artist Shampa Sircar Das constructs rather unfinished and mystical human forms. Her visual narrative is replete with motifs like scripts, signs and animals. It exhibits an element of surrealism. Lotus is the oft-recurring motif in her paintings. Her strong and vivid palette thrives on an extensive usage of primary colors in various tones. At times, her work done in monochromatic tones of silver and grey, turns introspective.
Amit Slathia’s work reflects his love of the scenic beauty of his home state Jammu as well his brilliancy in figure studies. The colors vividly resemble a pastoral setting, with soothing shades of dry sand. He makes his work animate with all its engaging elements. It’s not merely illustrative. The artist’s work exudes a serene mood in varied ways. Driven by the silence of nature, he is equally fascinated by light, and also by the shadows.
Monday, January 31, 2011
‘Celebration 2011’ at Kumar Gallery, New Delhi
A major group show of established and emerging artists
New Delhi based Kumar Gallery presents an exhibition of works by some of India’s eminent masters alongside young, emerging artists, in its annual show. It narrates the evolution of Indian art in the post-independence phase.
‘Celebration 2011’ features works in a large format in a wide range of media done by rising stars and stalwarts, including MF Hussain, Sakti Burman, FN Souza, A. Ramachandran, Jatin Das, Satish Gujral, Ram Kumar, K.S. Kulkarni, B. Prabha, Krishen Khanna, Paresh Maity, Arpana Caur, Ashok Bhowmick, Seema Kohli, GR Santosh, A.P. Santhanaraj, Sohan Qadri, Laila Khan, Ramu Das, Amit Slathia, Nabanita Saha, and Shampa Sircar.
Each artist has a unique thematic and stylistic approach that forms the crux of each work on view. For example, Krishen Khanna portrays an engaging socio-political and historical landscape. His minute observation of the life and ordinary people around adds a human touch to his work, as evident in his Bandwallahs series.
Prof. KS Kulkarni’s, the founder member of the Delhi Shilpi Chakra and also the Triveni Kala Sangam, has portrayed the world of peasants, caught in the whirl of urbanized world, revealing their tensions and travails. Both an excellent superb draftsman and a master colorist, he achieved the desired effect through his soft, light brush strokes.
Renowned abstract artist Ram Kumar has created works that proceeded through an alternation of brooding reticence and joyous expressivity. They played out a polarity of emphasis in the context of ‘samsara’ (the sensual participation in the material world) and ‘nirvana’ (the ascetic blowing-out of worldly desires). The sensuousness of the beautiful landscapes done in oil or acrylic is another highlight of his oeuvre.
Sakti Burman's painterly realm evokes a feel of weathered frescos, depicting fascinating figures in once vivid, but now faded hues. They transport the viewer into a dreamy realm. Mythical creatures float on his canvas, depicting tales of courtly romances. They bring to life a magical world - of flutists, comely maidens, exotic flowers, birds and beasts – symbolizing a lost paradise.
‘Celebration 2011’ features works in a large format in a wide range of media done by rising stars and stalwarts, including MF Hussain, Sakti Burman, FN Souza, A. Ramachandran, Jatin Das, Satish Gujral, Ram Kumar, K.S. Kulkarni, B. Prabha, Krishen Khanna, Paresh Maity, Arpana Caur, Ashok Bhowmick, Seema Kohli, GR Santosh, A.P. Santhanaraj, Sohan Qadri, Laila Khan, Ramu Das, Amit Slathia, Nabanita Saha, and Shampa Sircar.
Each artist has a unique thematic and stylistic approach that forms the crux of each work on view. For example, Krishen Khanna portrays an engaging socio-political and historical landscape. His minute observation of the life and ordinary people around adds a human touch to his work, as evident in his Bandwallahs series.
Prof. KS Kulkarni’s, the founder member of the Delhi Shilpi Chakra and also the Triveni Kala Sangam, has portrayed the world of peasants, caught in the whirl of urbanized world, revealing their tensions and travails. Both an excellent superb draftsman and a master colorist, he achieved the desired effect through his soft, light brush strokes.
Renowned abstract artist Ram Kumar has created works that proceeded through an alternation of brooding reticence and joyous expressivity. They played out a polarity of emphasis in the context of ‘samsara’ (the sensual participation in the material world) and ‘nirvana’ (the ascetic blowing-out of worldly desires). The sensuousness of the beautiful landscapes done in oil or acrylic is another highlight of his oeuvre.
Sakti Burman's painterly realm evokes a feel of weathered frescos, depicting fascinating figures in once vivid, but now faded hues. They transport the viewer into a dreamy realm. Mythical creatures float on his canvas, depicting tales of courtly romances. They bring to life a magical world - of flutists, comely maidens, exotic flowers, birds and beasts – symbolizing a lost paradise.
‘A/P2 & Tangible 3’: printmakers, installation/sculptor artists from the M.S.U.
A new group show of emerging printmakers and installation/Sculptor from Baroda based M.S. U takes place at Priyasri Art Gallery, Mumbai.
The common thread that bind the participants of a new exhibit, entitled ‘A/P2 & Tangible 3’ in Mumbai, is that they are all working at the AQ@Priyasri Artist Studio Baroda, for the show.
Anjali Goel, Deepak Mahakul, Gajanan, Kanika Shah, Naini Arora, Rachana Badrakia, Rakesh Rana, Sumedh Kumar and Tarun Gajjar are among the participating artists.
Naini Arora, a student of Graphics explains that her art practice combines traditional printmaking and technological advancements. In choosing to combine graphic prints with digital work, she looks to ‘join the masses trying to meet their needs in a constantly changing world’.
She explains: “We live in a culture of print and understand that art has always advanced by not discarding tradition, but building upon it. I use the two mediums in conjunction to express the complexities lying beneath our existence in today’s times. The digital prints are images that I manipulate and tease into becoming canvases for my future expression.
She emphasizes on traditional print methods based on expressive and observational drawing. She uses print as a map to take her work forward, through the co-existence of tradition and experimentation.
Tarun Gajjar did his post-diploma from Department of Painting, (Faculty of Fine Arts) in M.S. University. He states: “While studying at the college, I used to frequently go to railway station for sketching. I do feel that railway station has a life of its own. I came across the various interesting things that I kept on portraying on my canvas.
"I have been working on this subject since a long time and I wish to explore many such subjects and forms and my imaginations. Now I am working on ‘speed’, how we live our life in metro cities. I am using train in a metaphorical way. People travel in a train every day. But their life has become so fast that they don’t have time for each other.
His ‘Remembrance’ is based on memories. Time never stops and incidents become memory. The work is about the good memories of his life, whereas ‘Momentum’ is about force, the kind of energy we see in speed. The work depicts force at a very abstract level.
(Information courtesy: Priyasri Gallery)
The common thread that bind the participants of a new exhibit, entitled ‘A/P2 & Tangible 3’ in Mumbai, is that they are all working at the AQ@Priyasri Artist Studio Baroda, for the show.
Anjali Goel, Deepak Mahakul, Gajanan, Kanika Shah, Naini Arora, Rachana Badrakia, Rakesh Rana, Sumedh Kumar and Tarun Gajjar are among the participating artists.
Naini Arora, a student of Graphics explains that her art practice combines traditional printmaking and technological advancements. In choosing to combine graphic prints with digital work, she looks to ‘join the masses trying to meet their needs in a constantly changing world’.
She explains: “We live in a culture of print and understand that art has always advanced by not discarding tradition, but building upon it. I use the two mediums in conjunction to express the complexities lying beneath our existence in today’s times. The digital prints are images that I manipulate and tease into becoming canvases for my future expression.
She emphasizes on traditional print methods based on expressive and observational drawing. She uses print as a map to take her work forward, through the co-existence of tradition and experimentation.
Tarun Gajjar did his post-diploma from Department of Painting, (Faculty of Fine Arts) in M.S. University. He states: “While studying at the college, I used to frequently go to railway station for sketching. I do feel that railway station has a life of its own. I came across the various interesting things that I kept on portraying on my canvas.
"I have been working on this subject since a long time and I wish to explore many such subjects and forms and my imaginations. Now I am working on ‘speed’, how we live our life in metro cities. I am using train in a metaphorical way. People travel in a train every day. But their life has become so fast that they don’t have time for each other.
His ‘Remembrance’ is based on memories. Time never stops and incidents become memory. The work is about the good memories of his life, whereas ‘Momentum’ is about force, the kind of energy we see in speed. The work depicts force at a very abstract level.
(Information courtesy: Priyasri Gallery)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
A new group show of Baroda School artists at Priyasri Gallery
Priyasri Art Gallery presents new art event involving young and talented artists from the batch of 2009-2010 M.S. University.
Sumedh Kumar from Mumbai did his in BFA in Painting from Hyderabad University and MFA in Graphics from M.S. University. The artist negotiates the essence of impermanency moving out from the literal attitude of print making, amalgamating prints with various magazine cutouts. The works constantly change meanings and their perceptions in the viewer’s mind. His visual vocabulary is generated with an idea of can be & can’t be; hidden & unhidden, see & not hear, touched & but no sense and the invisible properties of the common objects.
The artist has depicted objects of daily usage, mostly recognizable to us, in an unfamiliar situation and a new light, to change our viewpoint and the way of looking at them, thus challenging our assumptions. For example, ‘kitchen’ here is created with utensils that are man-made rather to serve a specific purpose when they are put together.
He mentions: “I’ve tried to show the small link of stories happening with the utensils which are unheard and unseen like the story of glass and spoon or with the bowl and glass, frying pan and flat long spoon so on. I let the viewer use his or her own intuitions. There is a forcible act of fixing in the objects meant to represent the due changes in the modern society.
Elaborating on his work, another participating artist Deepak Mahakul mentions: “There is a rhythm in a nature. It’s a cycle that goes on and on. A continuing process goes just like the tide of sea. Day alternates with night and Winter alternates with summer. Nevertheless rhythm in the physical world is everywhere present in some or other.
"Same way seeds are also the hope for new plants and flowers. New dreams, new faith, new desires… That’s the ‘Rhythm of Life’. It never stops…
(Information courtesy: Priyasri Gallery)
Sumedh Kumar from Mumbai did his in BFA in Painting from Hyderabad University and MFA in Graphics from M.S. University. The artist negotiates the essence of impermanency moving out from the literal attitude of print making, amalgamating prints with various magazine cutouts. The works constantly change meanings and their perceptions in the viewer’s mind. His visual vocabulary is generated with an idea of can be & can’t be; hidden & unhidden, see & not hear, touched & but no sense and the invisible properties of the common objects.
The artist has depicted objects of daily usage, mostly recognizable to us, in an unfamiliar situation and a new light, to change our viewpoint and the way of looking at them, thus challenging our assumptions. For example, ‘kitchen’ here is created with utensils that are man-made rather to serve a specific purpose when they are put together.
He mentions: “I’ve tried to show the small link of stories happening with the utensils which are unheard and unseen like the story of glass and spoon or with the bowl and glass, frying pan and flat long spoon so on. I let the viewer use his or her own intuitions. There is a forcible act of fixing in the objects meant to represent the due changes in the modern society.
Elaborating on his work, another participating artist Deepak Mahakul mentions: “There is a rhythm in a nature. It’s a cycle that goes on and on. A continuing process goes just like the tide of sea. Day alternates with night and Winter alternates with summer. Nevertheless rhythm in the physical world is everywhere present in some or other.
"Same way seeds are also the hope for new plants and flowers. New dreams, new faith, new desires… That’s the ‘Rhythm of Life’. It never stops…
(Information courtesy: Priyasri Gallery)
Young talent from Baroda on view
Priyasri Art Gallery presents new art event involving young and talented artists from the batch of 2009-2010 M.S. University.
Among the participating artists, Anjali Goel from Haryana accomplished her Bachelors in painting from Kurukshetra University and Masters in Graphics (printmaking) 2009. During this period, she explored many new and traditional techniques of printmaking, and is now working on mix media techniques.
Her semi-surreal works are generated from constantly unraveling drama of everyday life. It is comprised of a multitude of images from nature, birds and beasts, stars in the overarching sky, as well as dreams of distant lands beyond the water.
While juxtaposing her drawings and etching prints denotes the outer society and superficiality of human being, in a way they also comment the counterfeit and stark truth of today society.
Kanika Shah, who belongs to Baroda city, has done her Bachelors in Painting and Masters in Graphics (printmaking).
She also presents the different facets of day-to-day life, using the language of Figurative and Narrative manner. Her work - mostly huge wood cuts and small etching prints - carries recurring images of self and clouds. It depicts the artist’s various moods. She attains perfection with child like drawings.
Rachana’s work is based on materialistic life. She feels that in today's times, the value of human being is decreasing. People are merely running after materialistic life. She adds, ”We are more interested in valuable things in our homes & outside, rather than our private & public relationships with people around us. We forget somewhere the human values and the purpose of our life.”
In her work ‘Crowded Place’, she has tried to show society in the form of beehives with no space to breathe and move. Objects like mosquito net stand for a state of our society where the evil characters are increasing very fast because we provide them energy and chance to grow.
(Information courtesy: Priyasri Gallery)
Among the participating artists, Anjali Goel from Haryana accomplished her Bachelors in painting from Kurukshetra University and Masters in Graphics (printmaking) 2009. During this period, she explored many new and traditional techniques of printmaking, and is now working on mix media techniques.
Her semi-surreal works are generated from constantly unraveling drama of everyday life. It is comprised of a multitude of images from nature, birds and beasts, stars in the overarching sky, as well as dreams of distant lands beyond the water.
While juxtaposing her drawings and etching prints denotes the outer society and superficiality of human being, in a way they also comment the counterfeit and stark truth of today society.
Kanika Shah, who belongs to Baroda city, has done her Bachelors in Painting and Masters in Graphics (printmaking).
She also presents the different facets of day-to-day life, using the language of Figurative and Narrative manner. Her work - mostly huge wood cuts and small etching prints - carries recurring images of self and clouds. It depicts the artist’s various moods. She attains perfection with child like drawings.
Rachana’s work is based on materialistic life. She feels that in today's times, the value of human being is decreasing. People are merely running after materialistic life. She adds, ”We are more interested in valuable things in our homes & outside, rather than our private & public relationships with people around us. We forget somewhere the human values and the purpose of our life.”
In her work ‘Crowded Place’, she has tried to show society in the form of beehives with no space to breathe and move. Objects like mosquito net stand for a state of our society where the evil characters are increasing very fast because we provide them energy and chance to grow.
(Information courtesy: Priyasri Gallery)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
‘Invocation to India’ by Raghu Rai in Britain
A retrospective exhibition of internationally celebrated photo-artist Raghu Rai takes place at New Art Exchange, Nottingham. The show, entitled ‘Invocation to India’ is curated by Saleem Arif Quadri MBE in collaboration with Aicon Gallery (London).
New Art Exchange lauds Raghu Rai in its exhibition note as one of the world's leading photographers. It adds: “Working in partnership with commercial gallery Aicon who have spaces in New York, Delhi and London; this is a major retrospective of his work, exploring India’s cultural and social backgrounds and history.
Mapping the artist’s life journey, the exhibition essay points out that Raghu Rai became a photographer in 1965, starting with The Statesman and India Today. He has worked on trailblazing picture essays on social, political and cultural themes. In the last two decades or so, Raghu Rai has specialized in extensive coverage of his home country, to produce over 18 books, including Tibet in Exile, India, Mother Teresa Raghu Rai’s Delhi, The Sikhs, Calcutta, Khajuraho and Taj Mahal.
Earlier serving as an official photographer for Magnum, his fascinating photo essays have duly appeared in many of the world’s top newspapers and magazines including Time, Life, Sunday Times, GEO, The New York Times, The Independent, the New Yorker and Newsweek. He was awarded the Padma Shree, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 1971. He is one of the few photographers to have received the honor.
Besides winning many awards - nationally and internationally, he has exhibited his works in India and abroad – at the leading venues in London, Paris, Hamburg, Prague, Tokyo, Zurich, Sydney and New York. This special retrospective takes place from January 29, 2011 until April 30, 2011 at the New Art Exchange. It was formed as to steer the development of Nottingham’s first ever dedicated cultural facility for Black contemporary art stream in 2003.
New Art Exchange lauds Raghu Rai in its exhibition note as one of the world's leading photographers. It adds: “Working in partnership with commercial gallery Aicon who have spaces in New York, Delhi and London; this is a major retrospective of his work, exploring India’s cultural and social backgrounds and history.
Mapping the artist’s life journey, the exhibition essay points out that Raghu Rai became a photographer in 1965, starting with The Statesman and India Today. He has worked on trailblazing picture essays on social, political and cultural themes. In the last two decades or so, Raghu Rai has specialized in extensive coverage of his home country, to produce over 18 books, including Tibet in Exile, India, Mother Teresa Raghu Rai’s Delhi, The Sikhs, Calcutta, Khajuraho and Taj Mahal.
Earlier serving as an official photographer for Magnum, his fascinating photo essays have duly appeared in many of the world’s top newspapers and magazines including Time, Life, Sunday Times, GEO, The New York Times, The Independent, the New Yorker and Newsweek. He was awarded the Padma Shree, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 1971. He is one of the few photographers to have received the honor.
Besides winning many awards - nationally and internationally, he has exhibited his works in India and abroad – at the leading venues in London, Paris, Hamburg, Prague, Tokyo, Zurich, Sydney and New York. This special retrospective takes place from January 29, 2011 until April 30, 2011 at the New Art Exchange. It was formed as to steer the development of Nottingham’s first ever dedicated cultural facility for Black contemporary art stream in 2003.
Anish Kapoor designed London Olympic tower sparks a feasibility debate
The body given the responsibility for the Olympic Park legacy after the 2012 Games has set an ambitious target of around 1 million visitors, including art lovers, a year for the magnificent Anish Kapoor-designed structure.
The stupendous structure, which will tower over the Olympic Park, is expected to be one of the popular attractions in the city of London. Under the just released terms of the invitation to tender, companies will be asked to operate the arty attraction on a lease of around a decade. The Olympic Park Legacy Company is looking to appoint an operator by this June.
The 114m tall sculpture, an amazing piece of architecture towering the Olympic Park in London, is likely to cost £22.3m. Largely funded by ArcelorMittal, it’s going to be among the tallest and the most loved pieces of public art in the city once it’s complete. Even as organizers visualize the entire arena to become one of London's most famous landmarks thanks to Anish Kapoor designed structure, London Olympic tower has already sparked a feasibility debate. It has already sharply divided opinion regarding its upkeep.
The OPLC chief executive, Andrew Altman, believes the park could easily generate up annual revenue of £10m through ticket sales, private functions, retail, merchandise etc. A part of the profit will go back into its upkeep and staging events. Its supporters believe the park sure will become as iconic as the world-renowned Eiffel Tower. But critics claim it will spoil the vistas over the Park, as it towers over its neighboring structures.
Altman though thinks otherwise. He has been quoted as saying in the media: “It's a piece of engineering, which should become this great destination. If you glance across the City, you will have the London Eye and the BT Tower. Now you'll also have a lovely landmark in the east. You can go right to the top and get a fantastic view. It will mark the whole landscape."
The stupendous structure, which will tower over the Olympic Park, is expected to be one of the popular attractions in the city of London. Under the just released terms of the invitation to tender, companies will be asked to operate the arty attraction on a lease of around a decade. The Olympic Park Legacy Company is looking to appoint an operator by this June.
The 114m tall sculpture, an amazing piece of architecture towering the Olympic Park in London, is likely to cost £22.3m. Largely funded by ArcelorMittal, it’s going to be among the tallest and the most loved pieces of public art in the city once it’s complete. Even as organizers visualize the entire arena to become one of London's most famous landmarks thanks to Anish Kapoor designed structure, London Olympic tower has already sparked a feasibility debate. It has already sharply divided opinion regarding its upkeep.
The OPLC chief executive, Andrew Altman, believes the park could easily generate up annual revenue of £10m through ticket sales, private functions, retail, merchandise etc. A part of the profit will go back into its upkeep and staging events. Its supporters believe the park sure will become as iconic as the world-renowned Eiffel Tower. But critics claim it will spoil the vistas over the Park, as it towers over its neighboring structures.
Altman though thinks otherwise. He has been quoted as saying in the media: “It's a piece of engineering, which should become this great destination. If you glance across the City, you will have the London Eye and the BT Tower. Now you'll also have a lovely landmark in the east. You can go right to the top and get a fantastic view. It will mark the whole landscape."
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