Epitome of Abstraction from Mumbai Artists at United Art Fair- Pankaja JK

Going ... United Art Fair 27-30 September | Pragati Maidan | New Delhi


Art has come a long way from being just a matter of passion and entered a commercial avenue with global exposure. United Art Fair includes established and upcoming talents who paint, sculpt and create installations. There are nearly more than 350 artists selected from all over the world to showcase their work.

Annurag Sharma, Director of UAF is successful in providing opportunity to discover the value and diversity of art. Annurag Sharma promotes a wonderful interaction between artists and patrons providing superb experience to both, the art-lover and creator.

Johny M. L. one of the rebel fighters for art right, also a curator in this Art Fair has chosen exclusive works by various artists. In this article, I, (Pankaja JK), have abstracted work of four outstanding visual artist from Mumbai, viz: Tathi Premchand, Sanjay Sawant, Sweety Joshi and Satish Wavare, who work in different mediums other than in typical traditional style of using colors on canvas.

It always interests me to watch work in group show rather than individual shows, so even this Fair is going to be a fascinating one. I had the opportunity to visit some artist in their studios and see the process of their creation and how the final outcome takes place through their creative process. Following paragraphs are addressed to their works with illumination on them in their own words.

Sweety Joshi

United : size 10x7 Mix media on rice paper

First of all I would mention about Sweety Joshi as a painter and an individual. She is a soft spoken artist, with composed personality and her work somewhere projects her personality. Her uniqueness lies in the use of rice paper for every creation, subtle use of colors and most importantly ‘burning and the kind of impression created by the burnt effect. She creates 3- dimensional works but refuses to call them installations and frames them just like any other painting. The paintings are all eye catching even if the process of making them is similar. So out of curiosity I asked her a few question on the deliberate fixations that she has in her works and she justified them as follows:

Q: Tell me about your passion for painting and were you exposed to artistic environment inspiring your painter’s instinct?

S.J: I do not have any painting background at my home. Though I have relatives in other creative fields such as writing and drama, but I always looked at my surrounding with a painter’s view. Whatever reality I saw around absorbed as a visual in my mind and heart. Every subtle thing attract my attention. ---- I like to unfold the layers of reality and visualize it in profile angle. The visuals are usually lyrical in nature and ultimately they develop as rhythmic and construction compositions as I go on creating my works.

Q:  You use layers of rice papers and bond them with threads, why is it so?

S.J: I love to work using rice paper because of its transparency. The delicacy of paper makes it as my visualization to burn it and even the burnt edges and the carbon that spreads on the sheet makes it look attractive. I do not glue the paper but stitch them because for me it seems like a lifeline, a blood vessel, a vein that flows through body, just like that threads are lifelines of my painting helping them breathe, live and develop. There are layer of rice paper bonded together. Each layer of rice paper is full of energy, it nurtures my visualization and I am able to give it a 3-D effect too.

Q: Many people feel ‘burning’ is a negative aspect. What is the significance of ‘burning’ in your paintings?

S.J: As a painter my most coveted color is ‘black’. All my paintings have black color in them. Black represents energy. I always wanted ‘my very own black’ and not the ready- made one, the black shades which would project light and shadow play just like deliberate transition of a day from light to darkness and vice-a-versa, transition from materialistic being to meditative soul and as proportionate body structure engulf the transparent, sensitive soul within. Initially I tried using various things like bottled colors, pencil, charcoal etc, but they failed to give me the desired black, smudged on rolling and folding the final paintings or they lacked durability. Then I started burning the paper and created ‘my black’ which magically stretches itself in such a way that it seemed to flow as per my wish. The point of finish of black and start of white becomes subtle and illusory. This could only be done by burning. Yes, many people have pointed out that burning is a negative act and suggested me to stop using it in my creations. But for me it is completely positive process. Don’t we burn candles and lamps in front of God? Throughout the process of living we go through various experiences which characterize us and burning in my painting also characterizes my painting daubing it with light and dark shades. Also in 3-D works, cracks and holes are formed on the paper, light passes through them and a shade falls on the background, which gives dept to the painting. It is like enthusiastic exploration of mind, experiences and soul.

Q: Do you want to try your hands at new medium?

S.J: There is no plan as such at present, because I am fully satisfied working in this medium and feel I have lot more to explore and create.

JK: All the best for all your ongoing and future projects.

S.J: Thank you very much.

Sanjay Sawant

United : size 22x28" Mix media on paper

Next artist was Sanjay Sawant, a cheerful, expressive personality. Being from J.J. School Of Art, highly accomplished in his art, receiver of many prestigious  awards during college and professional days, he later on took up the profession of a lecturer in Art Colleges and taught in various states of Maharashtra. He is also a seasoned writer. He resigned as a lecturer at a very young age and became an independent Abstract painter to nurture his love for painting. During his process he attended many workshops all around the world, which exposed him to diverse environment, culture and traditions which he finely incorporated in his creations. He has an unusual style of painting. The chief materials that he works with are the gold and silver foils and light green shaded cotton paper used to produce envelopes. He pastes this on large, medium and small canvasses with subtle dash of color between the spaces. He is very clear about the inspirations for his work, use of material and his identification as an artist.

Q: Did your academics and profession as a lecturer have any contribution to your creation?

S.S: I owe a lot to Sir J. J. School of Art. No artists should deny the role of Art School that he or she attends before establishing one self. I proudly say that I had an expertise in portrait painting. I received lot of accolades for it too. Portraiture involved capturing the features of human face, but I realized that a face is the exposure of thoughts and mindset, the environment that he lives in and experiences as an individual. I was also fascinated by inanimate things around and I felt like drawing their portraits. I think that is where my experimentation began. So I painted them in portrait form. Today my horizons of capturing inanimate objects have widened and now I portray space. Nature engulfs us; it is our vision to link our spirit with space. I am able to fuse my spirit with nature and be one with it and so I can do painting. Nature does not remain a space for me but it becomes ‘me, an undetectable part of me’. My experience of teaching taught me to enter into the core of objects.

Q: What instigated you to use golden and silver  foils and envelope in your painting?

S.S: As I said, I started experimenting in my art; I found the foil in cigarette packets appealing to me with their fragile texture and shine. As I always admire flowing water in sea and rivers and calm water in lakes, I could feel the shine of water in this silver foil. I especially like to be near vast water bodies during night time, when there is reflection of sky and heavenly bodies in the water, the hazed sight of clear water and the rhythm produced due to waves and water that rush towards bank and slowly recedes. I could produce these effects using aluminum foil and faint use of colors in spaces between the spaces after pasting the pieces foils on canvas, Golden foils gives me energy of sun, Envelope feel like wrinkled, matured skin with traces of life’s experiences, it is like a skin which is very delicate and soft to touch, I feel envelope paper is a container of love. So I use it in paintings to make my painting appear animated rather than mere characterless painting. 

 Q: What inspires you to paint?

S. S: Space and spirit are my real inspirations. Every space of matter becomes a womb which resurrects me with every creation. Visuals are external bodies and I impregnate soul in it. Thus, it becomes a divine process and I am myself mystified with this the phenomenon breathing new life into my visuals. I take inspiration from my immediate environment. The images that I see get abstracted in my thoughts because I do not want to present replicas of what I see but their effects and appeals,  whether it is a landscape, incident or situation but the their effects and appeals. So my creativity is not static and repetitive but dynamic and varied.

Q: How would you justify your paintings?

S.S: One can relate oneself with my painting so I am happy with it. My medium of creation is my identity which would remain intact in any form that I would opt to create. I enjoy creative process and search of painting is my main goal, so ups and downs of commercial do not shatter the artist in me. I have my own style. There are serious art lovers who have faith in me and they love and support my art.

JK: Thank you for sharing your creative journey with us.

S. S: It’s my pleasure!

Satish Wavare

United : size 10x19 Mix media on wooden comb

I had a short conversation with Satish Wavare, an artist who balances his act as a passionate painter who is clear about take on his individual art.  He is a graduate in drawing and painting from Sir, J. J. School of Art, Mumbai and specialized in portrait painting during his academic years. His evolutions in painting lead him towards choosing abstract over portrait painting and choosing a medium of wood carved combs. Unusual and unheard! But, he is successful in his work and has been a part of many shows and exhibitions all over India and even abroad. He works in Mumbai. Following excerpt is my inquisitive probe into his chosen medium for painting:

Q: Why did you choose wooden comb as your base for painting?
 S.W.: I was always fascinated by the shape of comb and it was usual found in our house right from childhood. My father was a priest and very often as the ritual a few things that a married woman should posses and obligated to wear is offered to Goddess. One of the things that were offered to Goddess by my father was this mini sized wooden comb. I liked it very much. In later stages of my development as an artist I decided to paint on small and medium sized wooden combs and it was bliss to find the effect very attractive and then I continued using it as a medium. The small even spaces in it and broad strip to hold it works as a texture and there is a kind of movement one can feel while observing the painting on it.  Now I am so obsessed with it that I personally feel that my painting process is complete only when I become one with form, color, line, wood, paper, water, oil, pencil, ink. 

Q: You always mount your creation on black background, any particular reason behind it?

S.W.:  ‘Black’ is my favorite color; it is vibrant and very vigorous. There is no particular reason but I feel black background gives a finishing touch to my paintings. 

Q: Does your profession have impact on your passion? 

S.W: I am very close to nature and natural environment had always been and will always remain my inspiration. The stretched ocean water, the waves currents, bio –treasure, shells and conches all become my visuals, which gets refined into abstract forms and ultimately become my painting. It is a gradual process of creation. The varied colors at sea becomes a challenge, because it is quiet tricky to make colors that match exactly with that found in nature. I also meet people with varied characters they also add essence to my creation.

Q: Do you plan to experiment with different materials like fiber, plastic combs etc.

S.W: There is no plan to change the material of comb in near future. Working on wooden comb has become my identity and I am in no hurry to wipe out my identity. According to me exercising experimentation in same medium, helps an artist to add more depth to that kind of work and he achieves more maturity in it. 

Q: So, how would you explain your relation with art?

S.W.: When I paint, my painting is personified, I have dialogue with it.  There is a depth in our bonding and the imprints that my paintings leave on my being is my vehicle for the journey from the known to the unknown. There is a give and take kind of relation, where I try to give it a face though abstracted form, in exchange it gives me immense pleasure, satisfaction and makes me peaceful.

Q: What about trend of adopting new technology or raising installations? Don’t you feel like changing your medium?

S. W: I do not believe in aping. Just because everyone is adopting installation, I would not do the same, nor would I adopt different medium to make an impression of being modern progressive artists. I would do these things only when they would really appeal to my artistic senses. For example, I would only involve in installation art, if something around me stimulates me to do so and if I find that the installation speaks more of its relation to world around and not just stand as a structure without conception. 

JK: So that explains your spiritual approach towards art.

S.W.: Yes and that lies in the core of my creativity, total devotion and dedication to art; very important for me and my creativity…

Tathi Premchand

The Indian Dhobi Ghat- 1
Digital artworks details Epson inkjet on vinyl with mat pasted on sun-board. Size 45x33"

Finally, I discussed with Tathi Premchand on his Digital Art. He is chatty, cheerful and always brimming with eagerness to know and tell about anything novel that he comes across. His enthusiasm to probe and explore innovative techniques can be felt through his talks and on his social networking communication. His belief in progressive and innovative art can be seen throughout his journey of growing as a painter. Some of his latest works are the perfect examples of his penchant for technological advancement in field of painting art. He now works on Digital Art. His work seems quiet rebellious and society concerned. His sensitivity towards society makes his work more appreciable and considerate. I guess he finds romanticism in simple joys and sorrows of people. To know more about Tathi’s work I asked him a few questions to which he readily answered with firm determination. 

Q: What appealed you to plunge into digital art?

TP: Basically I am always attracted towards innovation. Technology is a perfect area of introducing new methods of working. Computers and software have advantage over manual work. I choose to go Digital as it gives me the desired effect of sorting and placing the images. I am always takes one single photographic image clicked inside the local train. Through one of the graphics software, he creates three more images of the same photograph but in three reverse directions – one just 180 degrees upside down, one 90 degree turn to left and the third one is 180 degree reverse of the last one. Most of my artwork is the four dimension extension of a digital photography. Some viewer feel, its look like Mandala, river image, kaleidoscope, and this art form is very old art in India; you can see things in Buddhism  and Hindu’s god temple in form of mural art and God painting. Similar in my digital artworks are bright colors are omnipresent along with pure white color on clothesline, well arranged to dry the clothes. The gushing water, slogging washer men, heap of dirty and clean clothes together represent a mini image of a society that we live in.

This unusual place of muse speaks volumes about society itself right from ancient times to modern day. Briefly, washer men for dirty linings…anyone to cleanse the soul? This placid place with bustling activities and philosophical values be with us forever-

Q: What is the subject line of your Digital creation?

TP: I do not define boundaries of subject line. All my traditional style of work in paints and pastels on canvas and the latest Digital art are based on my observation of daily life of people around me. I stay in Mumbai which is a perfect place to find street dwellers as well as mansion owners. I try to portray them in my work exposing the critical part of it and the role it plays in forming the society. For example a street child enjoying showers from the cracked water pipeline or a public laundry at Mahalakshmi or perished textile mills and high rises right in front of these mills, the textile mills which were important earning source of commoners in Mumbai, these and such topics are subjects of my Digital Art.

Q: Your work sensitizes the topic and seems to be a thoughtful process and I personally feel that they would represent the history of our times after a century.

TP: It is fine that you feel so. But I create because I am sensitive towards societal issues. I like to paint social issues and make a critical statement through my work. But it is not always a seriousness that I capture but lighter moments too. With times lifestyle, infrastructure of the society and more over behavior and outlook have changed, I try to showcase that change- either good or bad or say, two sides of the same coin.
 

Q: Why do you vote for blog for displaying you work?

TP: These are the fastest mediums of communication. Social networking sites give me large exposure to art lovers and art buyers all over the world. Analysis done by people in the form of comments and reviews inspire me. I do not have limitation of displaying my work. I can upload any and every kind of work that I want world to see. I have nearly twelve blogs and all my creations are online 24x364days, more then twenty thousand viewer view my blog till. I am at my leisure without adherence to anyone’s terms and conditions. Gallery is good for exhibition to see live work and face to face interact with me,  blogging is good exercise before  do best show in gallery, so are these social networking sites with their pros and cons, at least at present and the world is changeing as one global village may be trums  of good or bad.

I have my 3 series in limelight for present, they are: Indian Dhobi Ghat, Chip hanger body, India's Koodafication on Moon. These digitals going to Milan, Cuneo, Dhaka and Kolkata gallery. Future is predictable. But surely I will stick to my passion of painting and my visual art. As I like progressive things I might adopt new technology while working on Digital. I like to flow with current to discover new paths and new destinations, I am planning do some work called Public Art near my studio at Bolinj  village on Rajawadi sea-side beach… be there

As told to Pankaja JK, Freelance Art writer.14/8/2012

 

Umakant Tawde - Manifesto Peace 2010 by Pankaja JK

Umakant Tawde has an eternal passion to depict peace, harmony and unity in nature and material world. He subjugates the concept  in various forms and symbols. His distinction as a solicitous painter can be admired in the depth of his thoughts, in upcoming series of 12 paintings titled Manifesto Peace. 

The paintings are represented in very colloquial manner, using native style of canvas representation, the current trend of computer effects, graphic work and installation. If Gandhiji is much acclaimed figure in the world, inspiring most powerful people, then why is the need to portray him? Of course! It necessary to do so.  Shown in the painting From Mohandas to Mahatma’, is his transition from a tip-top dressed youth for a  white- collared profession to a fighter( outside war zone) for human rights, freedom and unity. It magnetizes us to his personality and fervor. The painting also depicts his motive to change the external appearance and that was to empathize with the people he struggled, for  viz. the poor Indian society; harassed and denied of justice due to caste, class and ambitious differences.  Patience and understanding were the keys of his philosophy. His resistance was unique in its form: Non- violence- the act which was far remote from framed mind- set that a fight means arms- for- arms. His thoughts echoed and received attention by people all over India and also in other nations that were being slaved by vindictives; as in South Africa.

The artist himself confesses of knowing very little about Gandhiji in his childhood and of paying homage to him after hoisting the national flag on Republic Day and Independence Day. He then wondered why Gandhiji was considered Father of the Nation and what was his greatness compared to other freedom fighters who shed their blood and sacrificed their lives for freedom?  But as he matured, profound thoughts  took over his innocence, he gained insight into the brighter side of freedom struggle staged by Gandhiji through Peace and Unity. The gist was ‘Silence is powerful than words or action’. His creations represent the same.

The color, feel of texture charges the feeling of patriotism in  ‘The Charkha of Unity’. Prodigy of Gandhi lies not only confining himself to minimal needs to stay alive and carry out the mission, but also in having innumerable followers following his footsteps of living simple life, wearing khadi and being vegetarians. They effectively carried forward non- cooperation with British rulers as guided by Bapu.  It also indicates the rich and varied cultures, religions and languages of India in the form of Charkha which worked in unison to weave the simple yet durable fabric of Independence. The colors in this painting signify his love for all religions such as color green for Muslims, red the Hindus. The black background is the subtle indication of patriots who came from every walk of life and religion without personal identities, but addressing themselves as ‘Indians’ to fight for the common cause.  

‘Crossword of life and death’, in this the artist has shown the benevolent Gandhiji in relation to the recent threats of terrorism faced by nations all over the world. The cube of plotting, planning and slaying is brutal and unthinkable. Bapu’s opposition to the British rule was serene, to combat the cruelty. So, instead of armed fight in today’s condition, isn’t it better to retaliate in his manner to avoid further animosity? To find the way we do need microscopic view of the situation as shown in ‘Microscopique view’ where Gandhiji is shown keenly having microscopic view of the trouble in the political, social and religious spheres at that time, the watch represents the troubled time . The orange ladder represents the success of his thoughts and efforts to find solution. So, for us it’s time to have ‘bird’s eye view’ or rather say ‘Gandhi’s eye view’ to face the malice.

This series speaks volumes on Peace and Unity not only through images but also through the medium of presentation .i.e. colors, graphic representations, installation and simply picking on the already existing things like postal stamp in relation to the topic, enlarged and pasted on the ply. Speaking of the use of colors Pink and Khadi in ‘Bapu’ and ‘Keep the spirit alive’ depict his journey from youth to old age, spent in charting out non- violent moves of opposition.Charity begins at home, so does the fight for noble cause as seen in ‘World is my Family’, where Gandhiji is supported by Kasturba to fight evils in the society. The couple is truly an ideal couple.The painting ‘My Life Is a Message’ is his last ritual fire which instigates the feeling of patriotism, love and peace in us.The London Art museum showcases a goat named Gandhi depicting it as useful to mankind in every way during life time and also after being slaughtered it does not loose its value.

Gandhiji’s postal stamps on ply speak of his popularity all over the world. No wonder, Barak Obama, the President of one of the most powerful countries of the world America, idolizes and considers Gandhiji as his greatest inspiration in making political moves in peaceful way to curb the vindictive aims of the destroyers of the world today.Installation on ‘Unity’ has the powerful message of staying united every moment, to face the threat that universe is facing in the civilized disguise. If it is let loose, the price will be lives of thousands of innocents. It voices the message that, not only the birds of same feathers should folk together, but it’s time for all the birds with different feathers to folk together.

Umakant’s topic and its presentation is a wordless library with thoughts as books and rumination of it is to strengthen the knowledge.

Still there is so much to ponder over this great personality. “Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this (Mahatma Gandhi) ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”- Albert Einstein.   Article by – Pankaja JK 2010

Coming Soon

M.F.Husain was a legend and legend doesn't die, he gets transformed into things he had intimately accustomed with during his life time.

Translation Editing by Pankaja J K

 M.F.Husain was a legend and legend doesn't die, he gets transformed into things he had intimately accustomed with during his life time.

The particular body which we associate with Husain was his I-Card, his habitat and a vehicle of conveyance i.e his body which was fit and fine until a few days before his demise. . Whenever I had come across him I observed that he was never in his body but with his body, utilizing it as an instrument of prime importance. The reason might be, that he knew that God had gifted him such a beautiful and long lasting natural vehicle bearing wings of imagination so that it could help him to fly very high where others wouldn't even dare to dream.

(copyright photograph by @Tathi Premchand)

Along with the vehicle God also gave him the key which was, the liberty to operate himself. He had taken every care to maintain the vehicle and the key with discipline and good lifestyle. But on 8th June 2011 at an unfortunate moment he forgot the key inside his prestigious vehicle and locked himself out eternally. That unexpected tragedy forced him to leave the body forever. But naturally his physical existence became eternal and then he spiritually migrated to his most sought-after things that include the nation he belonged to as his birth right, floated in the memory of his father, mother and his wife, his prospering children, grand and great-grand children, people he loved and people who loved him. He left his memories in his paintings and his tools. His future always brought to him challenges and his exotic dreams that he saw with closed eyes and broad intellect.

His field of association was so vast that his process of spiritual migration must be still on. For him it must be like a pilgrimage which I believe will continue further perpetually on a more intensive level on coming auspicious day known as ASHADI EKADASHI in Pandharpur where he was born.  He had been very dearly associated with his childhood memories of this place. Thus his voyage will complete its first round and will begin the next one, and then the next one and next one and so on till the human beings and their creativity exist on earth.

This is the time to remember his contribution, (and not the controversies).

And therefore I would like to share briefly with you my personal studies cum observations about him and his work right from my student-days till today.

In sixties and seventies of the last century , beside Jehangir Art Gallery there were only four galleries in Mumbai, Chemould, Pundole, Chetna and Taj Mahal Hotel The number of artists were also less and amongst them the prominent presence of Husain could be felt everywhere in the art field. Husain was well known then as he is today and surely will remain in future too.  Why is it so? I asked myself and the answer that I inferred was that, while doing his own work he has worked silently and endeavoring some reformation in the art field. Very few must have noticed it. He never announce publicly how he is going to do it, proclamation was never a part of his self esteemed nature because as we all know he was a man of few but appropriate words. To serve the art and art-field he did not form any group or organization or a movement but walked all alone with utmost desire holding close to his heart, mind and soul and applied his sense of social awareness, organizational skill as well as the capacity to activate it impressively to best possible extend.

If you observe and analyze the phases of his work and journey as a social being you will realize that what so ever he did, apparently seemed benefitting himself but in reality, it also benefitted painting artist community in particular and art field in general. On the contrary his life and works reflect the extent to which he sacrificed himself to uplift the Indian art. Let me prove it by describing briefly the changes he introduced through his work attributing to bridging the gap between artists, their art and public.

(copyright photograph by @Tathi Premchand)

If you remember his work from fifties when art was not a public affair but limited to elite class of the society, you will notice that even during those days he had pure passion for art and art alone. He was painting for art sake. It was appreciated by few connoisseurs who would sometimes buy it for their personal collections. But very soon he realized that this would not help art and artists’community in true sense and therefore he must have decided in his heart to take art to the public at large.

By that time his other major companions, Raza, Souza and Bakare, from the Progressive Group had left India and settled abroad. Had all the progressives stayed here, their presence would have laid the foundation for the culture of art in our country. (In Europe the inventors of isms and movements did not leave their establishments which has helped their culture of art get rooted in the very soil that proudly upholds their contribution for many centuries) The history of modern Indian Art would have remained on the lips of the public and not buried in the history which after fifty years is excavated in pieces with wrong motivations.  So Husain alone took the responsibility to lay such foundation without proclaiming it, and since then his work, his approach, his behavior in the public changed. He painted horses; he painted generic subjects, even marriage cards and wooden toys; but of course, not in a traditional manner but with a conviction and style adopted by Progressives.

Nothing was forbidden to him. His fingers always fleeted and his eyes were sharp and penetrative. He had known the magic of becoming one with the matter he perceived. He used to invent new methods, mediums and subjects that would create sensation in the public. In seventies a devastating cyclone occurred in Andhra Pradesh and he took a giant emotional leap to go closer to Indian people. He exhibited brilliant paintings which had made a lasting impact on Indian mind and it had served his purpose of making art communicate with masses to some extent.

Then came the period of Emergency and he openly supported the then Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi by painting three huge canvases dedicated to her vision and spirit. By then he was already in the lime -light but this venture of his put him under constant focus.

(copyright photograph by @Tathi Premchand)

Later on he did many experiments with his art and environments, carried on stunts in the public places like walking bare-feet which at one time prohibited him from entering a five star hotel, white- washed his own works thus, astonishing the public. When hunters were killing wild animals he tried to save them in the form of his painting. He kept giving exotic interviews from time to time which would lead to gossiping. Then onwards he constantly remained in the news. He did everything he could do and all that lead to attracting masses to his art and art of others too. But frankly speaking, his vision for classical art and passionate involvement in his personal idiom suffered a setback. He became a popular artist of the masses. Today almost every Indian knows him.

This man of conviction and commitment could have easily worked just for himself and produced comparatively less number of works and enjoyed the coveted place of a genius. He himself knew it and that is why a few years back, while commenting on Gaitonde he said "Gai is genius, I am just popular." This very statement is also sufficient to prove that only genius can recognize another genius. But genius of Husain preferred to be popular aiming to make art popular which has ultimately helped other artists and their art to become popular.

I also know that Husain had taken with him buyers to art exhibitions of young artists and convinced them to buy artworks. It will take time for us to realize what we would greatly miss without him today onward and what we didn't realize during his lifetime.

Today we see that large numbers of appreciators are attracted towards art in the country, it’s mainly due to him and this is the worthless contribution of an one man army called Husain.

An artist who began his passionate journey in art by painting cinema posters and raised himself to the status of a legend.

I am fortunate to meet him on several occasions and witness him painting and watching his brilliant work in my life time.

I salute him from the very core of my heart!

- Prabhakar Kolte

Residencies

 

http://gasworks.org.uk/residencies/info.php

Urgent call for artists in residency in the Finnish countryside, August 20 to 31

Contact:
Miss Sanna Tossavainen +358 (0)40 773 4897
Mme Jaana Salo +358 (0)44 313 5555kattilakoski.osuuskunta@gmail.com
http://kattilakoski.wordpress.com/

Residence in Morishita Studio

http://asianculturalcouncil.org/japan/residenceinmorishita

The Indian Dhobi Ghat

Food Art….Invoking philosophical reasoning and creative output.

Food Art….Invoking  philosophical  reasoning  and  creative  output.

Pankaja JK.    

“In India people most people die not due to lack of food but due to over eating of food…”

This is no scientific analysis or report on World Food Survey.; but just a moment of thought given to most basic need of every living being- it is Food. Do we need food only to keep our body working or is there more profound importance of it in our life? Thinking about this I found very interesting answer to this bizarre question. Food has more than physical responsibility- it nurtures philosophy of life. There are basically two different categories of food that are necessary to fix and achieve the meaning of life. First is the ‘actual nutritional diet’, second is the ‘thought as food’.

After Industrialization the food habit of people especially in urban area changed rapidly. The trend of processed, packed food developed rapidly. This trend still continues and it has become a part of everyday lifestyle of people all over the world. Technological progress is not the only reason for this changing habit. There is a sly politics behind making people addicted to such habit. Establishing international market and earning foreign currency is the main aim of politicizing of food. In fact, Food and Beverage Industry is prospering day by day. There is a competition in luxurious and stared hotels to present food with attractive garnishing. We can simply call it ‘food modeling’! This food is advertised as very healthy and safe, ready to eat food but in reality it is devoid of any nutrition and it is more harmful to body. Comparing today’s people to early generation we find more and more of them suffering from physical ailments due to faulty food habits.

(Title: I roasted papad on iron, c - print on aluminum.     By Prashant Hirlekar)

But the second category of food is common to people from all walks of life and that category is ‘thought as a food’.  Civilizations have developed and perished but one thing common in all civilizations is the haunt for food by every surviving soul. Speaking of mankind it has not only been for satisfaction of hunger but for development and progress too- it has always been food for thought. There is a very interesting proverb in Marathi which sums up the basic need of life – Pot lagle pathishi…phiravito desho deshi…. Which means- Stomach/ hunger/ need for food follows you (is behind you?) and makes you go places in search of food. When the basic urge of food is satisfied man is able to think beyond survival, he is able to think and move on progressive path. The food that is mentioned here is food that a man needs to develop in his field of interest. For example, a painter needs inspiration, scientists needs evaluation, a writer needs stimulation, freedom fighters were lured with the thought of gaining independence for the country,  a laborer is nurtured by the thought of worrying for his own and family’s survival and so on.

Every kind of thought acts as ‘food’.  Speaking of art community, Food has been subject of many artists; creations. Food has depicted elements in nature, food has represented hunger and vice a versa and so on. Artists have used food stuffs symbolically.

Out of many such creations, installation one that has emotional touch is the artwork of Prashant Hirlekar, a passionate artists who is inspired by household things, imprinted his favorite ‘Istri’ (Iron) in the shape of a papad (wafer) on  aluminum base. He told an interesting story behind this creation, that during his college days while staying as a paying guest, he and his other artist friends would have party in anyone friend’s room. But since during those days paying guests were not allowed to keep gas stove, it was not possible to prepare any snacks in the room, so he and his friends would heat the iron and roast the papad by keeping hot iron on it. This nostalgia has turned out as a memorable creation of Prashant. 

(Title: Red chilly:  archival print on paper  by  Vishwanath Math.)

Artist Vishwanath Math has been dedicatedly involved in exploring the depth of mundane things. His ‘Mundane’ series is his curiosity to search abstract forms and shapes giving some meaning to it. His photographic skill can be easily felt when we observe chilly and curry leaves kept on the steel plate. There is nothing unusual about it. We see it everyday, but the way he has shoot it, makes it seem mouth watering, though if we eat it raw as seen in photograph we would have watering eyes along with mouth! 

To sum up, there is no alternative to ‘food’ and important aspect of social, political, philosophical and aesthetic scenario of the world.

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F A C E TO FA C E –Mumbai : artist interview – 1 by Pankaja JK

Istri- Series of painting by Prashant Hirlekar.

(Artist: Prashant Hirlekar, Photograph by Vishawanath Math)

Pankaja JK (J.K.) in conversation with Prashant Hirlekar (P.H.)

Following is my tête-à-tête with artist Prashant Hilekar who has the knack to give extra ordinary philosophical and mystical touch to most ordinary things or to put it rightly- Unusual and exceptional use of devices used for household needs, represent creative output of an artist as an individual creative thinker. The subject of his latest series of painting is ‘Istri’ or Iron. The device becomes unique thing as Prashant shapes it according to his creative instincts. Peep into his psyche and read his interesting visual and intellectual indulgence. 

J.K .  1. What inspires you to use household commodities as subjects of your paintings?

P.H: Man made objects that we live with, are representatives of time in which we live. It talks about the lifestyle we live during that period. I am going ahead to use the same man- made appliance to create my art works. Unusual and exceptional use of this device stands for creative output of an artist as an individual creative thinker.

An iron stands for disciplinary, well- presented but compulsion oriented habit of human being. We are unknowingly hooked to such things which can never be important and necessary in its basic forms e.g.: chappals and shoes that we wear are indispensable man made objects for city people. If we go to villages, most of them don’t wear chappals, though roads are smoother here in city .We are more conscious of our social image and status. We are conditioned to rely on other people’s opinion. I live in city where millions of people wear ironed clothes and go to office early in the morning; it’s as if they are fitted on conveyor belt, produced under a wish of collective mind. I use iron unconventionally to create my artworks.

When I burn canvas I get immense pleasure, like that of a magician who performs magic. It is a pleasure of directing nature or seeking nature’s help to support your request and to get this final natural desired effect of burning.  Even though burning has negative connotation, I take up this as a challenge and convert this into positive aesthetical statement of an art by adding colors and forms related to it. The whole combination of negative and positive balances me on the equilibrium of my thought process at the same time. When I think of iron, it delineates the same meaning of human body which emits heat within. Heat in the body has a strong relation with a negative thinking followed by negative energy which is blocked in some part of body. After emitting heat when body comes to normal it continues with free flow of energy. The similitude of iron and human body employed me to produce this series of painting. Iron has a aero-dynamic shape where two points meet at one vertex, where it creates the arch- like shape of iron; similar  shape we see in churches and other holy places and I feel this is a gateway to spiritual space; Spirituality that keeps on haunting and tapping a door of every individual.

An act of ironing itself is a spectacular act for me. The way iron moves while pressing clothes is a composition in itself. A laundryman who comes from Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai for his survival finds a small shop or a table. There is a peculiarity in the way he keeps iron on the piece of asbestos sheet and a wire coated with cotton cover for insulation goes towards the electric meter box where there is a red bulb and a God’s photograph; blessing him and energy emitting from his palm makes a picture perfect to get inspired from it. Piles of clothes ironed and crumpled before ironing and after effect of clothes has been amusing for me- It represent human personality which is crumpled and later on well presented with ironed clothes on. I see a veiled man in it. These clothes are generally ironed for office goers which are light in tonal values with stripes or checks on it and a woman, who is his wife lives with him there in that tiny space covering her whole face & body with a bright colourful sari with flowers on it.  This whole contrast shows the importance of this business. It talks several things about human life in a nutshell and his continuous act of ironing is a similar practice of Zen master who keeps on repeating things to witness the energy within; which is again centre of interest for the artist

J.K.  2 .Were you always inclined to be an artist? What inspired you towards it?

P. H.  I am not only inclined to be an artist but I am following a source which is directing me to be an artist, to witness life and influence of art on it. It is an inspiration or may be the way I develop to look at it over the years has been guiding force and inspiration to paint

J.K. 3. Huge installations are trendy; do you plan to venture this genre?

P. H.: Installation is not trend but it is a need of an artist to extend his vision while he lives in this world. His life is full of visual experiences connected to brain which emits certain chemicals to give pleasure and it is an immediate need of an artist today. I have been doing installations but I don’t pre-plan because what happens at the very moment is life, while we are busy making plan.

J.K. 4. Surfing art world on net, we find many artists across the globe creating almost same painting, installation or sculpture. What do you think? Is this copying of art or just a coincidence?

(Iron    12 X 18 ''   installation metal) 

P. H.: Previously it was difficult to get in-depth perspective of art field but now due to internet we can find out if there are any similar creations around in the world; there may even be co-incidences too. But finally it is artist’s own integrity which matters a lot, since this is a journey of self exploration.

J.K. 5 .Looking at the flood of artists from art colleges every year, how would you analyze on art for today’s artist- passion or profession?

P. H.: An artist for whom art is passion need to realize that it is a profession too and for artist for whom art is profession should realize that this is a passion in real sense. But even if it is purely passion, it will certainly bear fruits sooner or later even if he is does not follow professional norms. Finally he has to decide or may be destiny decides this for him.

J.K. 6.Do you think such virtual exhibitions will erase the existence of galleries and curators?

P. H.: Virtual exhibition will be an additional support to artist. Importance of galleries and curators will always be there, as we had books before and we have books even now in spite of having handy electronic media. Finally, it’s whole blooming nature of existence to reach at the peak of perfection.  

J.K. 7.How does city life influence artists? What are the positive and negative aspects of urbanization?

P.H: City life does influence artist. Rapidly changing social political situation tends to influence artist.  Changing social political situation tends to influence on the psyche of urban man. He is bombarded with new change all the time. Rapid change is the only permanent thing in the city. New architectural sites, fashions, interiors, an aesthetical advancement demand artist to fit in the global race; to fit in the new stream. Digital art, Photography, Installation, Video installation ,Site specific works, Gallery performance are the new forms of expressions come forth, some follow as the trend some do it as genuine need. But finally zeroing down to your creative statement attracts more appreciation. Negative side would be being in the rat race of the trend that may deviate from the right direction of inner instinct. Inner journey which witness and creates history sets some milestones in any field. Positive side of urbanization is that works are truly evaluated on global plateau.  It takes you closer to the pinnacle which is indispensable part of any growth.

J.K. 8.Tell me something about your upcoming project and if you have plan to have online exhibition or in a gallery.  

(Iron    8 X 12 ''  wood and metal)

P. H: I have been working on form of iron(istri). Once I focus on one thing, recurrently I find innumerable possibilities within that area. So to streamline patiently following them to execution at the same time witnessing other ideas derived from other forms is a great task. But persistence and consistency has lot of strength and respect. I want to create whole show of installation based on iron. I am hopping to deliver the best from it. I will always like to have online show because there is enough freedom of  selection of works to exhibit, you also have liberty of time, one doesn’t have to follow deadline of the time. Through online show we reach to busiest people in short time, where there is major possibility of appreciation and understanding. In gallery one can see works physically but it is an old form of presentation just as we used to see actual actors on the stage in a play later we accepted their presence on celluloid screen. Advancement of the technology adds convenience to everyone. Art lovers always come to artist’s studio and see the works physically. Gallery would be old form like an opera but still deserves it’s due respect because it invites social gathering and some show must go on there. 

To conclude, I had a conversation with a very unbiased artist who is just engrossed in innovating and developing his creations. After such light talk there was no need for ‘cutting’, a cup tea but in his casual manner he asked me for one and I couldn’t deny it; just thinking of the labour class ‘Istriwala’

more about artist and his 2nd blog show view on :

http://prashanthirlekar.blogspot.in/