7 of Arts_Lalit Kala Akademi_Aug 2024

 

 7 of Arts Exhibition

It was after many years that I stepped into Lalit Kala Akademi on 13^th August 2024, to  have  a glimpse of an art Exhibition with a curious and intriguing title -  ‘ 7 of Arts’  held at the Lalit Kala Academy till the 14^th of August 2024, featuring seven women artists from across the country. The art works on display were a mixed bag – exploring various themes, styles, mediums and genres, providing a visual treat with myriad colours, shades and hues......  The works on display were so beautiful... left to myself, I would have preferred to spend  at least a few hours in solitude with only those works of art for company, savouring the beauty of each slowly....leisurely......like sipping a hot cup of coffee on a rainy day in the cosy comfort of my home.... 

 As I entered the gallery, a beautiful portrait in watercolour done during a live-demo by Seema Ghiya, a wonderful artist from Pune, welcomed me.....

 

Bowled over by the paintings around, my hand instinctively reached for my camera and I started taking pictures of the artworks  and in my enthusiasm I failed to observe  a  brief note on the wall which read ‘ Photography not allowed’..... I expressed regret when it was brought to notice, but then when I explained that it was for the purpose of my photo-blog, the artists made an exception....  I would like to place on record my heartfelt thanks to all the artists for being kind enough to permit me to photograph their works and publish them on this blog....

As I went around , I observed that while Seema’s work is traditional, Rangashree’s and Reya's work are outright abstract.......  You cannot miss Rangashree's ‘Pastoral peace’, ‘Awakening’ ' Girl in a Coffee shop' and ‘Two Face’, where vibrant use of colours and close-ups hold you. 

 

Dr.Shreevidhya’s watercolour ‘Kailasanatha Temple’ in a long shot amidst the green foliage...... ‘Moonbeam’ with a silhouette of a deer standing against gushing waterfall... and ‘Beaten but not broken’ with a close-up of a wounded lion were quite impressive...

 

 

 

 To me, Tharika’s ‘ The Look’ resembles  comic book art....and her eye in ‘ Ocean like Vision’ seems to be pulsating with energy...the pain  and longing are brought out well in her ‘The Wait’....and ‘Damayanti’s look’ is a reproduction of Raj Ravi Verma’s ‘ Damayanti’...

 

 

 

Her fascination with ‘Marappachi’ dolls( wooden figurines mostly made of red sandalwood)  is evident and dominate Uma Maheshwari’s works... and her work is an amalgamation of the traditional and the modern....Her, ‘Angles and Attitude’ and ‘ Circles we choose and chase’ are  thought- provoking....

 

 Reya’s  ‘ Family'  is an interesting composition....’ Glowing Lotus’ is another nicely done piece...

 

 

 

Tripura is a self-made artist and is determined to secure herself a place of pride among peers... that determination shows in her almost faithful reproduction of Raja Ravi Verma’s painting ‘Yashoda Krishna’.... Her, ‘ Meditation’ featuring Buddha in monochrome and pastel shades appeals both to the eye and to the mind.....the use of contrasting green, red and brown  against white in her ‘ Poola Jadha’ is striking....'Twilight' is another beautiful work.....

 

Seema Ghiya’s watercolours are picture-postcard perfect......beautiful moments frozen in time... in acrylic , watercolour, pen.....Any of her works can be cited as a perfect example of the  extraordinary control she has over the medium and will linger in your memory for a long time to come... mostly her works are in watercolour and some in mixed media... What is astounding is her attention to detail, grasp of human anatomy, draughtsmanship and her play with colours.  The genesis for her artworks, are photographs she had shot during her travel....

If my understanding is correct, Seema’s work is being exhibited in Chennai for the first time and her works are the most in number. Every artist who had seriously tried watercolors would agree that it is a medium that  is extremely hard to handle  but watercolors seem to flow casually from her brushes filling her canvas with mind-boggling perfection....which reminds me of  Michelangalo's words:

                              'A true work of art is but a shadow of divine perfection’

 Here are some of Seema’s works:

 

During the time of my visit, I was able to spot Rangashree, Dr.Shreevidya and Uma Maheswari   deeply engaged in  conversation with visitors and guests......and  I was lucky enough to chat briefly with Tripura and Seema Ghiya ........and as I came out of the gallery, thinking about the hospitality,  simplicity and  humbleness of these excellent artists, despite their artistic prowess, only one thought runs through my mind.....

                         .......these are beautiful people... equally beautiful like their art.