ग्नोसिस Gnosis : Bhikshu

Artist snap near Dharamshala: Yr 2008

बौद्ध धर्म आणि रचनात्मकता यांत काही साम्य आहे का? होय, असू शकते. बौद्ध धम्म हा स्वतःला ओळखण्याचा, शरीर, आत्म बोध आणि आत्म नियंत्रणावर बुद्द्धीचा ताबा स्थापित करण्यासाठी आहे. रचनात्मकताही  काही अंशी ह्याच पद्धतीचे अनुसरण करते. ह्यात निर्माता, निर्मिती करताना, त्या विषयाच्या मुळाच्या शोधासाठी एकाग्र  चीत्तेने लक्ष केंद्रित करताना चिंतनशील होतो. अशा प्रकारे तो त्या निर्मितीच्या भौतिक देखाव्यावर चिंतनात्मक प्रभावाचे वर्चस्व स्थापित करतो. बौद्ध धर्म आणि रचनात्मकता, आपले खरे आणि गुप्त स्वरूप उलघडतात. 

 

दोघांतून चेतनेची वृद्धी होते. ध्यान ही एक सोपी प्रक्रिया नाही आहे आणि जेव्हा तुम्ही ध्यानमग्न व्हायला बसता, त्या वेळीच आपले लक्ष आधीपेक्षा जास्त विचलित होते. एकही क्षण तुम्हाला मनाने स्थिर झाल्यासारखे वाटत नाही.  हे असते अप्रत्याशित स्वभावाचे परीक्षण. रचनात्मकता सुद्धा अन्दधुन्दितुन स्थिरता शोधत निश्चलतेणे याच प्रवाहाने वाहत असते. 

New Painting by Umakant Tawde : (image copyright by Artist)

उमाकांत खूप वर्षांपासून बौध्द धम्मच्या संकल्पना आणि बुद्धांच्या प्रतिमांवर पेंटींग करत आहे. ग्नोसिस/ भिकु, हे यातील पुढचे पायदान आहे. ह्या पेंटिंग्स मध्ये त्याने थेट बुद्ध धम्म प्रचारक- 'भिक्षू' रंगविले आहेत. दलाई लामांबरोबरच नवशिक्ये  भिक्षू दाखविले आहेत. आपल्याला ह्या नवाशिख्या भिक्षूंच्या अभिवाक्तींमध्ये कुठेच शांत भाव आणि ध्यानी चित्त दिसत नाही, परंतू चिंतनशील भिक्षू होण्यापूर्वीचा बालिश, खोडकरपणा त्यांच्या हाव-भावातून दिसून येतो. ह्या सहज वृत्तीने त्यांना आपले भौतिक विश्व जाणता येते आणि मग बौध्द धम्माच्या शिकवणीच्या आधाराने त्यांच्यात आत्मजागरूकता विकसित होते. रचनात्मक प्रक्रियाही ह्या नवशिक्या भिकुंप्रमाणेच आहे- आत्मजागरूकता आणि भौतिक व बाह्य भाव आणि भावनांतून निव्रुत्ति. लहान वयातच कठीण ज्ञानाचे भडिमार न करता, त्यांना आपल्या वयाप्रमाणे बागडू देऊन आणि त्या बरोबरच व्यवस्थित रित्या ज्ञान दिल्याने त्यांचा शांत आणि संयमी भिक्षू मध्ये बदल होतो.     

 भिकू होण्यापूर्वीची हि प्रारंभिक अवस्था दाखविण्यासाठी उमाकांत ने रंगबिरंगी पार्श्वभूमी रंगविली आहे, आपल्याला अपेक्षित असल्याप्रमाणे, बौद्ध धर्माशी जोडलेले शांत रंग वापरले नाही. नवशिक्या भिकुंचा भोळसटप व तेज ह्या रंगांतून दुमदुमते. ह्या फोटोग्राफिक शैलीतील पेंटिंग्सची रंगबेरंगी पार्श्वभूमी अमूर्त आहे, कुठल्याही अलंकारिक धुंदीरहित.  

आणि सरतेशेवटी, न वगळता येणारे,  हिम्मत आणि नम्रतेचे प्रतिक दलाई लामा, यांचे पेंटिंग आहे. त्यांच्याप्रमाणे कलाकारामधेही हे दोन्ही गुण असले पाहिजे. हिम्मत- सगळे अडथळे आणि त्रास जे आंतरिक दृष्टी विकसित करण्यात व्यत्यय निर्माण करतात ते त्यागण्याची मनाची तयारी। नम्रता- एक महत्वाचा अध्यात्मिक गुण असला पाहिजे ज्याने चिंता न करता टीका सहन करता येते, जेणेकरून अध्यात्माचे सर्वात उच्चतम स्थरावर पोहचता येते.  

प्रत्येक पेंटिंग अद्वितीय आहे, कारण छबी जरी ओळखीच्या असल्या तरी ते वास्तविकतेचे रूपक आहेत आणि आपल्याला अध्यात्मिक विकासाचा मार्ग  दाखवितात, मग ते भिक्षूंनी निवडलेल्या बौद्ध धर्माच्या मार्गाने असो किंवा सर्जनशीलता असो. मार्ग कठीण आहे, आणि ह्या विकासाचे मुख्य अडथळे आहेत विचारसरणी आणि मनाची चलबिचल. भिक्षूंच्या किंवा कलाकाराच्या आत्मिक जागरुकतेनेच अध्यात्मिक विकास संभाव आहे. हे प्रदर्शन बघण्याजोगे आहे कारण ह्या दृश्यांनी ज्ञानात भर होते. 

New Painting by Umakant Tawde : (image copyright by Artist)

Does Buddhism and creativity have anything in common? May be, Yes. Buddhism is all about exploring self and attaining the power of mind over body, self realization and self- control. Creativity adopts or follows some methods of Buddhism, where in creator becomes meditative as he goes in creating and concentrating on exploring the depth of theme, thus, gaining a meditative hold over the physical appearance of the painting. Both, Buddhism and Creativity, cultivate our real and cryptic nature.

There is rise of ‘Consciousness’ in both. Meditation is not an easy process and when you sit to meditate you have more diversions of thought than ever before; there is not a single moment when you feel stable at soul. It is probing into unpredictable nature. Creativity follows same ebb of finding stability amongst chaos and move with the tranquil flow.

Artist Umakant has been working on the concepts and figures of the Buddha since last many years. Gnosis/ Bhikus is one further step in his creation of thought involving Buddha and Buddhism. . Here he directly paints the representatives of the Buddha- the Monks. Along with Dalai Lama, there are novice monks. We find that these novice monks’ expressions are not serene and meditative but seem to be at the infantile stage of becoming Monks, they have childish innocence on their face. They are allowed to explore their physical world and with the aid of Buddhist preaching they slowly develop self awareness.

Process of creativity is like these novice monks, a process of becoming self aware and breaking free from of influence from others. Without imposing grueling knowledge and letting them be of their age; this natural way of growing and side-by-side acquiring knowledge in a systematic way would turn them into serene and self-controlled Monks.

To show this initial stage of proceeding to be a true monks, Umakant has made use of colorful background and not as expected of Buddhism (and taken for granted) the association of the subtle shades. The innocence and radiance of novice monks is reverberated in these colors. These photographic style representations have characteristic colorful abstract backgrounds, devoid of figurative, mysterious mist.  

Lastly, not to ignore the painting of The Dalai Lama who displays courage and humility. Like him artist should also have both. Courage to discard all that which is troublesome and hurdle in finding inner vision. Humility, a spiritual nature to accept criticism without disquiet and gain highest level of spirituality.  

These paintings are unique in the sense that the images are well-known but they are metaphoric representation of real creativity and shows us that path to spiritual growth; be it by following Buddhism as by Buddhist monks or by being creative person. The path is difficult and main hurdle is mind and soul and development of self awareness. Self awareness by Monks or by artist, would surely lead to spiritual upliftment. The show is worth watching as imparting knowledge through visual means.

- by Pankaja JK 

Show Details:
Venue- Hiriji Art Gallery, 1st Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai.India.Opening on 20 th August 5:30 pm

 
(Note : This PRESS RELEASE for all Indian news paper and Media, leading PR Agency  and online social media, please share )

 

Since 3 year we all Pune artists Ankita, Rupesh, Pradyumna, Swapnil are coming together.

Since 3 year we all artists Ankita, Rupesh, Pradyumna, Swapnil are coming together. We started questioning our paintings. We started thinking what is painting? Are we present in our painting? If yes then for how long? or Do we just waste time on thinking? We went on thinking on these questions ,doubts but at some point we couldn’t handle those doubts and questions we all were confused that how to find ourselves.

INNERMOST- 2 ABSTRACT

One day we met for a tea at small Dhaba and impressed by natures beauty decided to take a camp in presence of natures purity; so we arranged3 days camp at a farmhouse in Khed(june 2012).our intention behind attending camp was to find ourselves.

Then we came to know, there is no perfect time to Draw or to paint. It starts when we draw or paint. We painted in dark, no light at all, Without looking at canvas we painted it , we painted it without knowing the results, and the results turned out to be really happening. We observed what is happening in painting while it is in progress. We learnt not to waste time in thinking before painting .we should just start, we can think on it after it is complete or still in progress. Most important thing was to observe journey of our painting. It is important to know when the painting is complete, to know where to stop with him. We learnt what all can happen over a space, with range of possibilities in it. We also did installation using manmade and natural things. We also, purposely destroyed our installation to take it into a depth.

Painting by Pradyyumna Jivane

From here we started our journey to ourselves. Each one of us started thinking and observing our works .Each week we met to discuss over our paintings. We indivisually spoke about our works one by one, what exactly is happening in it, what we want to show etc. Because of this we learnt to speak on paintings .now we could answer questions made by people .We did a small display at studio 5 at FTII(30-31 october 2012) to take guidance from Prabhakar Kolte sir. They gave time to each one of us and guided us brought our works.

During the journey towards ourselves we started study of different monuments of art, we studied art history.we studied how art changed from renaissance to 21st century art. On basis of this study we did another camp in Donje place near Pune (December 2012), where we tried to paint in various style like impressionism, fauvism, cubism ,Dadaism, abstract expressionism etc. we all studied characteristics of each style and tried to paint in their style. Main intention was to know what was motive behind paintings, their thought. We wanted to reach people, we wanted to share our experiences, we were keen to know what people think about painting, so we made an attempt to put up an exhibition at SNDT Hall(March 2013). We invited people from every field for the show to know their view towards painting.

Painting by Ankita Aswale

We continued doing all our activities, works and meetings now we are again exhibiting our paintings. Out intentions is that our painting reaches to everyone; that art is not limited to artist or art lovers it is for everyone.

Ankita Aswale
My painting for me is journey towards myself. I and my sensitivity walk hand in hand to reach towards me and my painting. My painting are essence of my life and I am only a medium.

Rupesh Dalvi
With help of lines, colours, space, texture and shapes I try to convey my feelings in my painting. Instead of drawing a line I paint it. Instead of using same kind of textures, i am always in search of new textures. Same way I always make n attempt to use unknown, unseen color in my painting. Spontaneity is another very important aspect for me. For me what I spontaneously create, becomes portrayal of my thoughts on canvas.

Pradyyumna Jivane
Painting for me is one kind of volume which is made by elements like brush, colour and canvas which emits some kind of vibrations. I am one of the element present in this whole process and, it leads me to myself and my nature. In this process forms and shapes that start appearing are directly related to me. Whether these form resemble nature or not, but it either becomes definition of me and my painting or thought of a painting. When I am with myself I try to find myself, ask questions to myself and myself answer them… in this journey I perceived a thought, and this sensitivity and sensibility of thought are me and my painting. Rest are colours, lines, shapes are part of nature, which I graspe form nature inside me and portray myself and my nature on canvas.

Swapnil Kshirsagar
According to my study and observation just creating texture in a painting cannot be called as abstract. Abstract for me is where I try to express a thought, and to what extent I can accurately depict it. And this expression is provoked through colors, lines, shape, and texture. Abstract is never accidental, but an attempt to experiment in a space that leads you to yourself and become your own painting, gradually you do not need any specific line or a specific color it just takes you to your painting.

‘Water Lily Monsoon Show’ at Art Gate Gallery Mumbai from 6 August 2014.

Art Phoneix with its renowned and potential talented artists are here again to showcase their painting art through their group show Water lily monsoon show by spreading the colors of joy through landscape, abstracts, flora and fauna to paintings of figural objects. The collection by their participant artists will be displayed as ‘Water Lily Monsoon Show’ at Art Gate Gallery Mumbai from 6 August 2014.  Phoenix as the name implies, means person or thing of unsurpassed beauty or excellence. Water lilies bloom in abundance and enthrall by swaying happily. Likewise, the participants in this group appropriately win our heart by presenting phoenix like paintings and merrily united, showcasing their art in group like water lilies. .

Artist : Lalita Lajmi

Lalita Lajmi, the painter needs no introduction. Based more on human psychology her paintings reflect the inner conflicts. She is acclaimed watercolorists of India. Her paintings are dispositions of subtle upheavals that a person goes through. As she paints these feelings in women it brings out the agony and her disturbance is usually in protest of injustice. The gestures often reveal the tensions, open distrust fulness and unwillingness to confide many a times projecting melancholia. But women of her paintings are strong and not meek. They are inspired by Goddess Kali and Durga. Her work seems autobiographical at times as we relate it to her relation with her family. Intervention of various art forms of various dimensions like cinema and classical dance has subtly influenced her work. The artworks seem to speak to the observer and express itself. But Lalita Lajmi prefers the observer to have their own impressions according to their experiences and not judge by her family lineage and personal experiences

  

Looking at artist M. Kumar’s paintings makes us realize that Nature is indeed an Art or it can also be vice versa. Both are inseparable. It is not possible to experience bliss and happiness by completely ignoring nature. When we are amongst nature, we breathe, touch and feel it by our every sense organ. It ultimately reaches the soul. When we his painting of boats swiftly floating on water; it is not just remains natural and artificial thing in unison but becomes a treat for eyes. And truly it is only for those who relish beauty. His paintings portray his feelings   His work is autobiographical. They reflect his inner desires, he finds himself in different characters either good or bad and he has question weather right or wrong, he attempts to visualize these inner desires on canvas. His work seems have grown with the age, life experiences and maturity of thought. The progression shows that his portrayals have attained simplicity with deep underlying meaning. This is a sign of true artists.

Art work by Baljit Chaddha

Another artist in the group who paints emotions is Baljit Chaddha. Being quiet attached to his family and friends his paintings metaphors the unity and togetherness. He is content with whatever life has offered him and attributes the contribution of his loved ones in it. Most of his work is memorabilia. His paintings are colorful, vibrant flow of energy that keeps life going. There is a rhythm in the myriad forms. His paintings are sheer flow of joy and serenity that are related to human relationships which matters most in ones life. 

Kavya Reddy’s work cannot be categorized in one theme. Her paintings are reflections of her state of mind at a given time and spontaneously transferred on canvas. Love, desires, dreams, hopes are prominent features of her paintings. Women on her canvas portray these feelings. Though academically she has acquired higher degree in technical field of I.T Engineering, she nurtures love for traditional treasure of India and therefore her paintings. Her tender emotions can be felt through the soft muted hues that she uses n her paintings.   

What happens when you have emotional bonding with a particular place? Geographical location? The result is unique as it reflects living beings (including people and other living things) resulting from that particular aura, topography, climate, soil and vegetation. One such passionate artist in Phoneix Art group is Laxypal Rathore. His paintings revolve around the lifestyle of Rajasthan. He is much awed by Camel, only animal adaptable to barren lands of dessert. Like camel his figures have long neck, symbolic of surviving in harsh geographical conditions. There are also figures with long moustaches, even these serve the purpose of protection and security. Rathore’s unique portrayals are very impressive and do look like abnormal beings, but beings with tough physical make to accept the challenges around.

Ambreen Dharamsey’s deep study in Psychology has effect on her creations. The bright and vibrant images expose the psyche of a person and the changes that take place in brain at particular stimulus. Since more based on scientific knowledge her paintings hold attention as a medium to probe into heart and mind of people. There is a similarity between nature and human nature.

Yusuf Arakkal, Seema Kohli, Dr.Amit Rajvansi, Nena Singh,Parameshwar Raju, KKoeli Mukerjee,Shalini tike, Prahlad Sharma, Sanjay Sable,Vinay Trivedi, Rajendra pasalkar, Aashok Divare, Poonam Chopra, SimiSharma, Roshan Barnes, Nilesh Kolekar and artists from Nasik Kala niketan are also participating along with the above artists.

Make your monsoon delightful....

- by Pankaja JK

6th to 12th August :  opening at 6 pm Art gate gallery, Churchgate Mumbai
Art Gate Gallery can be contacted at:022 4213 8855
or emailed at artgate.sc@gmail.com
(Note : This PRESS RELEASE for all Indian news paper and Media, leading PR Agency  and online social media, please share )

Search for Integrity :It might be loss of zest and helplessness to achieve dreams

Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die,

Life is like a broken-winged bird that can not fly.

                                               - Langston Huges.

This quote aptly applies to artist latest creation. The artist has created and displayed his work after the years of self confinement from artistic expression.
 

His classic style of expressing the theme by using matchsticks is a treat to eyes and mind piercing as well. Here too, he has shown a male form by using matchsticks in mirror box. The unfulfilled desire to break free or being voluntarily or involuntarily pulled in duties of crass society are the unseen inner conflicts that are symbolically represents by showing a broken winged bird. There is a hope for an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting.  A single wing is made and reflected in mirrored box, which gives the impression of broken wings. It might be loss of zest and helplessness to achieve dreams. 

But Santosh does not aim only to show the disquiet and depression; instead he comes up with more mature and serene thought of attaining inner peace and moral soundness in the chaotic surrounding of the world that he lives in. The recuperating soul is represented by the use of blue color that suggests peace and calmness.

He has deliberately used pointillist coloring style so that the sorrow and peace seems to be integral in its completeness. His work also seems to be influenced by Warli painting art that has series of dots and monochromatic hues.

Artist is ready with his work before take ride to Art Gate Gallery

Abstract art has come far ahead from use of conventional materials of canvas, paper and colors. It is now expressed in installations, digital medium and so on. One of such out of the way is the work of  Santosh, an artist from Mumbai. An art graduate from Sir J. J. School of Arts has a unique medium of expressing his thoughts and that is through using matchsticks on ply.

The basic elements of his paintings are male and female. He uses matchsticks and the geometric forms made by them represent male and female. The horizontal or vertical placement of matchsticks represent male and triangle represents female. These paintings illustrate male and female relationship. He started working using matchsticks right from the days in Art college and the first creation was 'Khajuraho Night' based on the famous Khajuraho temple. He then worked on 'Krishna' his next painting where he showed one male amongst thousands of female. Here he used approximately five thousand five hundred and fifty matchsticks for female form and at the centre was an abstract image of Krishna in ceramics. This was a mixed medium. Even now his paintings are based on mixed medium and he says that from the very beginning he loved to experiment in using various mediums.

His work stands out because, unlike the basic of Abstract art where expression is formless and expressed through colors, he uses very less colors and highlight more on forms, though most of them are geometric figures. This may be because of Prabhakar Barve, the great painter whom he admires for the forms and their placement in his paintings. He also has high regards for Prabhakar Kolte.

One can also find the traces of Warli paintings in his works. He reasons that there is a repetitive form in his paintings because for him repeating the same thing again and again means a total involvement with it which is like a meditation, concentration and ultimate nirvana of the soul. To put in his own words, “Like a Warli painter who depicts his life by drawing it on one background, even I try to portray my life's experiences, influences and curiosities using repetition on a single colored background.”

Art Gate Gallery can be contacted at:022 4213 8855
or emailed at artgate.sc@gmail.com
(Note : This PRESS RELEASE for all Indian news paper and Media, leading PR Agency  and online social media, please share )