Review on Bharti Tike recent art works

These paintings are close to my heart since they speak to me, they speak about me and sometimes for me.

I remember my childhood since the age of five when I had started being more social, knew the difference between home and social circuits like school, garden and other premises where I would see lot of children of my age. At that tender age too I could find myself being distinct from other children. I was always very shy and introvert. The distinction due to deformity became clearer as I grew up. Whether knowingly or unknowingly I tried to compensate my longing and loneliness by painting. I sat for hours at one place and drew everything that stimulated me. By the time I was also attending my primary school.

As I studied in vernacular medium I became familiar with the Devnagri letters and to my own astonishment I started finding the human figures in that letters. Letter 'ha' in Devnagri seemed to be a womanly figure to me or for that matter letter 'la' (second) depicted a male turban or such kind for me. So as I studied letters, along with I studied drawing too.

( Recent work by Bharti Tike)

I have grown up in the suburbs of Mumbai. Then it was not so crowded and the place was a blend of modernism and nature. This greatly influenced my work, the wonderment and nature of Mumbai found place in my drawings.

The thought of choosing a career did strike me after completing my schooling. Till then I had never given it a serious thought. Painting was just a hobby and means to escape in this maze of world. But I had the zeal to learn new concepts, drawing and techniques. I was apprehensive about my future, till I got the information about existence of Art College in the heart of city- Sir. J.J.School of Art. I secured the admission and started my formal education in drawing in the year 1986-'87 and completed my M.F.A in the year 1993. As it always happens even my batch was full of students who were confused about academic studies and contemporary art. But thanks to my sense of grasping that I started working in various mediums such as oil on canvas, pastels, water color, and charcoal and so on. My work was then more concentrated on self- portrait. I expressed my every hidden feeling and emotions through these portraits. This self expression gained me accolades and awards. Though happy I was still not contended with my work as I felt that I had not found the right medium through which I could express myself more clearly.

After my graduation I ultimately found my medium and that was Black Pen. I did lot of work using the black pen. I felt the work in black pen, the character that was expressed in every figure was expressed very meticulously. So charcoal and pen became my mighty tools. Like when I drew the resting vendor having a nap in his huge basket in “Relaxing soul”,. I have subtle expression of tired being, the face is not highlighted but the surrounding and the posture suggests the state of being. Another drawing that is expressed in such a way is “Caressed innocence” where the innocence and dependence of a child is felt through the hands that hold him. The tender child is shown resting carefree in sturdy and confident hands. As I drew with charcoal and pen, I literally started feeling that the characters in my drawings spoke to me. The drawings became more expressive without highlighting on facial features. Overall figure started gaining importance. The black shade against white tones portrayed more truth and posed a challenge that color did not. Thus, pen and charcoal proved effective to my expressions and broadened the avenues of being perfect. This medium has truly taken me to greater level of intimacy and expressions.

Currently I am working on the new series which is the amalgamation of digital at with watercolor. It is a series in mix media. Though the series concentrates on portraits, I have introduced the effect of background on the facial expressions and gesture of each figure. The series is like a volume of book studying the human feelings and life experiences, their psyche that is influenced by the circumstances that they have lived throughout their life. There is pain, anger, longing, apprehension, mystery, tranquility, care and love. The series touches upon every human emotional aspect that one could think of. Like in

“Can Rule the world”, depicts the confidence of the women in her late 60s. Her little raised head shows her will to win and her surety to excel in whatever she challenges to the world. The painting is also ideal to showcase the power of woman. In that case the very poignant painting is that of Mother Teresa in “Mother of Depressed” where love and care for downtrodden is not just a fable associated with the work of Mother Teresa but she was the ultimate Messiah for the poor and downtrodden men, women and children who showered them with love, caresses them as own mother and sheltered in her own lap. The praying figures of nuns dressed like mother Teresa in “Conveying cries of unheard”, show nuns' heart felt prayer to Lord Jesus to eradicate poverty, hunger and sadness from the world and make the world a beautiful place to live in and conveying this pitiful request on behalf of helpless.

The highlights of these paintings are the fine lines drawn at one go to make them powerful and grasp all the inner feelings of the character. I prefer to complete my art work in one sitting as I feel the thoughts pour in my mind and I am able to put them on canvas or paper without cuts and breaks. So in a way I can say that I float through that emotional river which either has happy or sad stream at that particular moment of painting. I can sit for hours together and sometimes at stretch throughout the day or night. But once the image is complete I feel great satisfaction and I feel as if I have written something in my personal diary which I could gave never been able to express to anyone in words. These paintings are close to my heart since they speak to me, they speak about me and sometimes for me. My introvert nature truly gets a means to express my emotions and feelings.

Bharti Tike spoken with Pankaja J K - Freelancer art writer

Negative is nothing but hidden pool of positive possessions … Prashant Hirlekar's recent art works

It is intriguing and thought capturing series by Prashant Hirlekar. The everyday useful household commodity ‘Iron’ becomes a remarkable metaphor in this series. He addresses it in Hindi language and calls it ‘Istri’; it is explored physically and characteristically. He tries to exterminate misconceptions, blind beliefs and pseudo psyche.

‘Istri’ is basically used for purpose of ironing; it stores negative energy –heat. This negative energy itself is used for good outcome of flattening the creases on the clothes to make them more attractive and presentable. This working of Istri has magnetized the artist and he finds its association in our surroundings.  He has deeply studied nature and found that goodness of nature has its existence due to presence of negativity. This negativity surrounding us, leads to positive outcome or its presence is unavoidable if one wants to experience goodness in the universe. In fact, not a single being is devoid of this negative energy which plays an important role in boosting positive spirit in us. Doesn’t hate make us sensitive towards love? Isn’t the fear of death which is a future, make us live the moments today? These complexities and much more is presented in the series.  

(Recent work by  Prashant Hirlekar)

Hirlekar precisely points out goodness out of bad, positive out of negative all through the series. Generally, people and for that matter even artist look at the happy and attractive side of the elements and artist paints them on canvas to make a good impression. There is deliberate attempt in the society to ignore or avoid negativity as it is considered bad. There are superstitious beliefs associated with many things in nature. Some of the superstitious beliefs like considering black colour as inauspicious and representative of bad omen or crow being considered ugly and useless, these same things bring twist in life when they gain priority and importance by the same society which discards them very often. Black colour may be inauspicious for people but for artists it has proved to be useful colour to make impressions, even in nature clouds are dark bringing the rains, dark nights bring along sound sleep, black hair sign of beauty so on and so forth. In the Hindu ritual a crow is sought after, to know whether souls of forefathers are satisfied and are at peace.

In one of the paintings where the canvas is ironed and properly hanged on the hanger clearly indicates that even if canvas is the base of painting; it is of little use if creased and wrinkled; it has to be flattened before painting on it. So, if canvas stands for positive result of good painting, it needs negative energy (heat) of Istri to form plain and unwrinkled base for painting. This applies to human appearance in society as well; i.e. even if you are a disturbed person you can present yourself composed and balanced in that well ironed clothes and that is exactly what an iron does using negative energy of heat to present positive side of you.  

Basically it is the negativity that nurtures positivism and the ideas and concepts develop according to their intensity. Too much of comfort and luxury is a sign of hampered mental growth, therefore some amount of failure, void and dejection is necessary to keep our central nervous system active and rouse our adrenalin rush. It stimulates brain and makes it more active to think of the ways to achieve the unaccomplished aims. This is subtly projected in the image where iron moves upwards and gets divided into two parts. It seems as if the path is a backbone which moves up and Iron at the end of it gets divided into two parts of the brain; where every experience is processed and body is commanded to act upon it.

Just like too much of goodness, even too much of negativity is also dangerous, in some cases leading only to destruction and that can be on individual level or society at large. This idea is clearly indicated on his canvas and also through the installation where the hot iron sole if pressed on one spot for longer period that part of the cloth gets charred and destroyed completely. Here it may also be suggestive of suicidal thoughts and actions due to pressures or on the larger scale it can be also indicative of historical episode during Hitler’s reign when Jews were inhumanly charred to death and in recent context it can also be indicative of corruption, poverty and deadly terrorism which is affecting lives of people all over the world. To eradicate these grave problems, controlling the rising negativity is important to keep the situation under control. So, negative energy is good as far as it is in control and directed towards positive result.

This series is not partial to any extremes of positive or negative; it aptly presents the two characteristics in balance which makes living complete. But more credence is on viewing Negative in good terms and accepting the fact that it is not always bad, but it stores positive energy. To put in other words, in context of Istri- hot or burning iron is a potential energy which becomes kinetic as soon as it is applied on the desired base or cloth. But one has to be careful while moving it smoothly with variation in pressure according to kind of cloth and wrinkles on it. Silk and cotton are two different fabrics requiring different temperatures and pressure and just like that the negative things in surrounding can be used actively in changing social and personal outlook by applying proper wisdom.

Apart from presenting the characteristic and the use of Istri, Hirlekar is also fascinated by its shape. The broader end that join together at arched point on the other end is unification that straightens the most wrinkled corner of the cloth and in reality too giving finer shape to thoughts can also eradicate the most difficult problems, thus making a remorse a rejoice. If it doesn’t offend Hirlekar or ruffle chauvinism in him, on personal level I also find similarity between the physical make and characteristic of Iron and Woman. Woman is said to be the reason either for civilization or destruction of society and is just like Prashant’s Istri, burning with desire of progress of her family and herself. If her goal oriented fire within is directed in right direction and moved smoothly, it can straightened ruffled feathers of society and lead to proper reward.

To sum up, the series appeals the psyche due to its subject matter and visual impulse through amalgamation of shades of red and orange with blue, which are again contradicting; red arousing heat and blue subduing it by its nature of calmness.  

- Pankaja JK

Review on Tathi Premchand recent art works

Tathi Premchand’s paintings have variations of thoughts and sensibilities. Right from mythological adaption to modernistic sensibility every aspect is cleverly covered in his paintings. The focal point is that it varies from somber to humorous level keeping the undercurrent of thoughtfulness flowing in whichever ways the ideas surge. Analyzing all his paintings would be interesting but quiet exhaustive. The depth and variation can be seen in his series of sketches where we come across current affairs from all walks of life from spiritual to political.

A sketch of a loaf of bread and a brick, with God’s name written on it is a direct indication that though both play equally important role in life of a devout, it is that bread that matters above everything. Hunger defeats every other grapevine, because bread for hunger is involuntary demand and brick for monuments is voluntary choice.

Right from painting the queries of Ananda, the disciple of The Buddha and solution by Lord Buddha to directly and subtly portraying Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and his message, the artist also has directly projected in his paintings that even in modern day non- violence and peaceful endeavors are the strongest weapons to win the world. No other practical aspect has been effective to make an impression on world and therefore world’s strongest leaders have implemented theme in their principles, so we find face of Obama on the body of Gandhi. If meticulously observed, Tathi prefers writing full name Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi instead of just ‘Gandhi; in this his motive is blurred.

Does he want to insist upon Indian or Asian idol followed all over the world or does it simply seems impressive to Tathi to address Gandhiji by his full name. Whatever the reason saying full name does make a profound impact.

According to Tathi Premchand he likes his paintings to speak for themselves when he says that “Painting should maintain its identity in such a way that on the instant of seeing it, one should be able to understand its intensity. For me it’s an achievement if my painting speaks; be wordless expression of thoughts! “He does complete justice in creations.

Tathi Premchand is very judgmental in his approach. He compares the modern approach on commercializing art and traditional approach of art for sake of art.

http://www.tathipremchand.blogspot.in/

He has the skill to capture both in same frame and prove the difference. In one of his unique photograph, he has captured two artists of different generations, one new and other old master. The young artist is busy interacting with media and speaks about his work and skills. Whereas the old-master is composed and proves his skill by painting on canvas in presence of media, who generally wants artist to analyze his own work. Old master does not analyze his craft verbally, but proves it literally. His painting speaks for his art and skill.

Most of the modern inventions do offer comfort and pleasure to people who are desperate to seek them, but if we think and realize the so- called modern luxury, we will find more ill-effects than goodness. Tathi has shown it through his photographic art called, johny johny yes papa.. heaving sex no papa..telling lies yes papa‘Plastic love’ where a young boy happily chews a chewing- gum. The expression of delight on his face makes one feel happy too, but the chemicals that he consumes through this luring sweet is nothing but a danger to his life.

Tathi has come a long way in his creation of artworks. His horizons have expanded drastically. Along with the skill on canvas, he now portrays the feelings by experimenting photography, installations and merging of mediums of expressions. speaks in sarcastic, humorous and satirical manner. It speaks people’s mind. The work not only appeals the thought but evokes reaction in mind of an observer. The name ‘Open Heart for Earthworm’ itself suggests sarcasm.

Open Heart for Earthworm is about the modern, technological progress and ignorance of nature. Superficial living has gained much prominence. The simple proof is the cement jungle which is inhibiting the most helpful creature, earthworms from its existence on the ground. Aren’t we improving our life- style by doing injustice with other mute creatures in nature?? Such thoughts do stimulate our mind, but without any positive outcome. We just think; think like an ass! ‘Ass’ in the series represents common man, who always looks deeply engrossed in thoughts such is the mental and physical condition of people; who act as guided by political, social and communal guidance. Anyone hardly tries to be different.

In this series he concentrates on the dynamic influence of politics in every field and the misuse of political power at the same time by people in power. It is ironic that people see, hear and follow the power which can prove to be destructive to them, but they have no choice to reject and discard this system as there is no option of perfection for the system revival. People are reduced to ass where in they seem to ponder on issues but cannot react but wait, watch and move towards doom. Modernization has sucked the blood of mother earth and given us a temporary life which seems beautiful. The danger of global warming has come up and griping us rapidly. Use of modern equipments and development of cement forest is cutting down nature cruelly. Still we prefer it….because, according to Tathi “…we are addicted to the modern ways of luxury and comfort at the cost of natural gifts and reducing the number of years of our own life.”

Dhobi- Ghat is metaphorical in nature which represents the washing clothes and sarcastically raises the question of cleansing the soul. It is the famous dhobhi ghat or open laundry near Mahalakshmi station, Mumbai.

The images of hardworking men, white clothes, colorful clothes, tied bundles and so have their meaning associated with life of every individual. A Dhobi- washer man washes every kind of soiled clothes and is contended with his profession. But the question is even if a person wears clean clothes, does his soul too gets a timely wash? Here the target is towards the mass which has superficial simple living, but act shrewd and cunning when it comes to the misuse of power for personal benefits. As Kabir’s say, “Kapdon ka mail toh dhobi saaf kare, manka mail kaun kare?” is frequently experienced in these artworks. The omnipresent effect given to these paintings by repeating the images in four directions suggest universal behavior, that is not restricted to any particular community or country.

- Pankaja JK