Wednesday, 26 March 2014

‘I show the invisible in my works’- Vinita Dasgupta

Delhi-based artist Vinita Dasgupta on self-imagery, spirituality and sold-out shows

Among the works that sold out at the India Art Fair (IAF), the country’s largest exhibition-cum-sale of art held annually in Delhi, was an eccentric series with portraits of Marilyn Monroe, an unknown Indian boy, and the artist herself painted on layers of cigarettes. “Step closer, there’s something more beneath the obvious,” says Vinita Dasgupta, 30. On a second look, the “cigarettes” turn out to be canvas strips rolled into hollow pipes of various sizes. They are pasted together to create an undulating surface, giving Dasgupta’s paintings a three-dimensional appearance.
( Vinita Dasgupta's works at Indian Art Fair 2014- New Delhi)


Dasgupta has been selling out since she was a student at College of Art, New Delhi, in the early 2000s and the red dots at IAF have only sealed her place among the promising names of her generation. Relaxing in her studio, she looks less arty and more airy. No intellectual handlooms or ethnic jewellery; instead, she is a Delhi girl with straightened and streaked hair, a nose ring and four tattoos.


“I like to show the invisible in my works,” says Dasgupta. Each roll of canvas, she points out, contains icons or scenes from mythology — Rama and Krishna, Radha and the gopis — and Sanskrit shlokas, so that a painting is made up of many other rolled-up miniatures. “I was looking for a new style when a friend gifted me earrings made from bits of Coke cans twisted together,” she says.

Into this pop inspiration, Dasgupta fused images from Indian spirituality. “I am a seeker of spiritual truths. I travel to Dharamsala and Varanasi regularly to meditate. And I travel alone,” she says. Even the tattoo on her thumb has spiritual significance. “It’s the female moon sign in Chinese and is shaped like an Om,” she says.


As a child — when her first name was still Dipannita, which she changed in school without telling her parents — Dasgupta learnt Kathak, classical music, cooking and painting, participated in almost every activity in school and won lots of prizes, had friends but also spent a lot of time by herself. Consequently, her artwork looks inwards. Almost every series Dasgupta has produced since she turned professional in 2008 include reflections of herself.


Of these, My Window Shut to Open (2010) comprise acrylics, digital and mixed media juxtaposing a world as of candy coloured consumerism — through motifs such as lipsticks, multiple telephones, stilettos, shorts and sleeveless tops — with symbols such as the Taj Mahal (“my ode to builders who build great cities but go unnoticed”) and traffic signals (“It is only at red lights that we get a chance to look at people who live on the streets”). “When I was working on this series, I was always deep in thought. I would watch TV and talk to people, but when that external conversation stopped, the inner conversation would begin,” she explains.

( Vinita Dasgupta's works at Indian Art Fair 2014- New Delhi)

Dasgupta was among the toppers in the entrance exam at College of Art and she proceeded to spend her four undergraduate years metaphorically coloring outside the lines. “I would sit in the postgraduate class 
and hang out with seniors. I was constantly learning from those above me,” she says. Professors began to teach the new students on smaller canvases but Dasgupta regularly turned in large-scale works with strong, almost masculine, brush strokes. She also holds the distinction of winning the Women’s Athlete award four years in a row.Dasgupta’s first solo, in 2009, was titled “Fashion and Attitude: Womanhood under Scanner”. Befitting a post-liberalisation youngster, she tackled a different kind of existentialism from those of an earlier generation of artists. One of her works revolved around wardrobe malfunctions, with a traffic signal of the left glowing red. In another, Dasgupta contrasts the sashay of a model to the steady steps of women labourers carrying construction material on their heads. The exhibition sold out, which still surprises Dasgupta. “Maybe the buyers shared my vision,” she says. 

Since then, she has held four more solos as well as 200 group shows in India and internationally, with Delhi-based Art Konsult representing her since 2009. This year’s IAF was the first time that Galleria Art Lounge from Lisbon displayed her works, with successful results. The gallery has planned a solo of her works in Lisbon this autumn.

(Report courtesy Written by Dipanita Nath )| March 16, 2014 11:38 pm  ( Indian express)

Thursday, 20 March 2014

Not to be Missed : 22nd March 2014 at Art Gate Gallery

SUKSHM
A show of recent paintings by Kumar Vaidya on 22 to 29 march 2014.
11AM to 7PM (Open on Sunday)
Preview on 21st March 2014. 5PM to 9PM
At art gate gallery above Satyam collection, next to Eros Cinema, Churchgate, Mumbai 400020.

Wednesday, 19 March 2014

Showcasing Indian art scene for the world...J.J Today & Tomorrow

In the last few decades, one has seen a reasonable growth in the contemporary art scene of India.

And in order to spread the awareness of Indian art and artists around the world, The Art Affaire, a platform for artists and art lovers alike, is hosting paintings by the ex-students and teachers of Sir JJ School of Art. A group show titled 'J.J Today & Tomorrow', the exhibit includes the work of 40 artists like Mangesh Kapse, Manohar Rathod, Abid Shaikh, Parag Kashinath Tandel, Javed Mulani, Vijay Bondar, Javed Mulani, Manohar Rathod, Abhid Sheikh, Raman Adone and others, alongside faculties from JJ School of Art like Anant Nikam, Douglas John, Dr Manisha Patil, Prakash Sonavane, Rajendra Patil, Vijay Sakpal, Vishwanath Sabde (Dean) and more.
 



The JJ School of Art too, has a tradition of excellent painters and art teachers like M V Dhurandhar, Jagannath Ahivasi, Y K Shukla, S B Palsikar, Baburao Sadwlekar, PM Kolte and so on, who through their relentless efforts have played mentors to numerous talented artists over the years.

This art show will give aspiring artists an opportunity to show their talent.

(The exhibit is on from February 24 to March 2 from 11 am to 7 pm at the Art Gate Gallery, Satyam Collection, Opposite Churchgate station)
(above painting by Raman Adone )

Tuesday, 18 March 2014

After 20 years, Kumar Vaidya is all set to comeback with the most anticipated show... ‘SUKSHM’



When you think of an artist, names like Friedrich Schiller, Rembrandt etc pops up. Eccentric, unconventional and abstract in their being, they didn’t follow the typical norms of society, following their instinct and desires, they went through life as if it was a canvas, where the only acceptable formula was to use colours, textures and designs that fulfilled their sense of being, in a way that made absolute sense or sometimes, no sense at all.
(Kumar Vaidya)

Kumar is one of such person. As eccentric as any artist, what sets him apart is this beautiful disposition he has towards life and the meaning it holds. An eternal soul with the exuberance of a boy, caught in the daily humdrum of life, he is a story within a story. Walking on the road less travelled, he does what he knows best, and that is to just go with the flow of life, wherever it takes him, in whichever way it takes him.

Breaking traditional norms of being an artist, Kumar Vaidya’s life is as colourful and dark as his artwork. Having seen it all in the past 20 years, one thing that never changed was his undying passion towards feeding his artistic flair in whichever way possible, to learn rather than acquire.

A true artist doesn’t restrict his emotions and thoughts to one channel of outlet, instead they let it flow out through any medium possible, be it music, art or a philosophical take on life. When they talk, they are consumed with this sense of passion about everything and listening to them, your mind can’t help but wander off to the beautiful unexplored dimensions that only a true artist can open.

Such is the persona of Mr. Kumar, unassuming in nature, prolific in thoughts & alternative in personality, his work breaks all benchmarks that restrict human emotions. He is an artist who is completely in tuned with his innermost emotions, which are free flowing and does not limit itself to one form of style.

What sets his work apart is that it gives his viewers a sense of freedom to interpret his work in whichever way they want to.  Not wanting to restrict a persons thought and emotions, his work takes you on a journey of your choice. Open to exposition, his work challenges you to think outside the box, to not restrain your emotions, taking your thoughts on a path that has been unexplored, where meanings and preconceived notions no longer exist, a new territory of unimaginable depths and heights, where no two people will express the same emotions while they are lost in finding the meaning in his art. And when they realise, that the only meaning to bring out of his art is to free one’s mind and let it take its own journey, like Mr. Kumar did, is when the real meaning of his work hits home. 
(Untitled : 10.5x10.5" water color on paper)



Bio-Profile: Kumar Vaidya:


Kumar Vaidya is an Indian artist known for his contribution to the cutting-edge yet comprehensive Indian artwork. Born on 5th August 1964 at Kapadwanj, Gujarat, his first artistic endeavour began with his degree in Bachelor of Fine Art from Sir J J School of Art Mumbai. His drive for more rigorous and traditional training led him to Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris – FRANCE on French Government scholarship, 1993.


Kumar Vaidya, known for his avant-garde yet revolutionary artwork, successfully positioned himself in the Indian art domain with his first solo exhibition in Mumbai, Madras and Delhi in 1992.
Constantly reinventing himself while retaining his artistic DNA, Kumar Vaidya, especially known for his sense of style which leans towards layers and straight lines, gives his paintings a mystical eminence and high level of quality and perfection. 

Well renowned for his artistic disposition all over, most of Kumar Vaidya’s paintings are in a private collection in France. His alluring art work has also been showcased as a part of Sadruddin Daya's art collection. Mr Vaidya’s artistic talents have been recognized by known names like Rajiv Sethi, who commissioned him to paint one of his rooms at the landmark Shah House in Juhu’s Janki Kutir, owned by Czaie and Suketu Shah (MD Mukund Iron and Steel).

His achievements also include painting four of large size paintings for Kohinoor Bungalow of ex Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri. Manohar Joshi. Furthermore, he went on to paint a large (45 ft X 9 ft) painting on the wall for Vipul Doshi at his Churchgate office.

Artist Kumar Vaidya’s work stands apart and takes your mind on an experimental and innovative journey, breaking the conventional norms and showcasing depth through his talented art strokes.

After 20 years, Kumar Vaidya is all set to comeback with the most anticipated show, ‘SUKSHM’ that will display his extraordinary piece of art to all the art lovers. The exhibition will be from 22nd March -29th March at an art gate gallery above Satyam collection, next to Eros Cinema, Churchgate, Mumbai 400020.

 
(Report courtesy Atul Unadkat,)