ArtInspired presented their first group show, with artists from Goa and other Indian states, titled ‘Chitrasangam’ at Ujwal Art Gallery, Vagator, which was inaugurated on January 22, 2023.
Among the older genre of Goan artists, Wilson D’Souza (Director, Pyde Piper Art Academy, Dona Paula) journeys into the mind, with varied fragments of thoughts, moods, memories and personality twists, waiting to be exposed in their own entity, in his abstract portrayal.
Mohan Naik’s semi-figurative portrait of the goatherds – though a repetitive theme in his paintings, each brings a new element, in the colourful details of his observations, documented in an uncomplicated visual language.
Sailesh Dabholkar’s abstract work in ochre simulates carvings in a temple, and effectiveness of gray/black intricate textured delineation, with human figures pointing to it gives viewers just enough information to dream up a sequence of the story.
Rubina D’Souza, a self-taught artist, has intricate detailing in two motifs, in black and leaves, which is eye-catching and infuses an aesthetic charm.
Nandini Raikar has subtle juxtaposing of figures of women on tree trunks, which is symbolic of the strength of a woman.
Jyoti Mehta focuses on relationship and sharing. “Every moment becomes special and memorable when shared with family,” she opines about her semi-figurative portraiture.
FIGURES, FAIRIES, FOLKLORE
Vitesh Naik’s has a random visual of things, seen or heard, a bit of music comes in, too. For all of the artist’s repetition and use of a signature form, juxtaposing animal and human figures, each painting has a distinctive configuration, in tandem with a sense of deliberation.
Sanjay Halmarkar prefers to employ an academic approach in bold strokes in his portraits of eminent personalities, and makes a mark as an artist of calibre, painting famous personalities from varied fields with special preference towards creative artists.
Damodar Madgaonkar’s deep blue grey background, elephants with a circular motif on the head, textured decorative trunk, are inspired from local folklore. For a self-taught artist, his choice of colour palette, subject and execution of the same is ever-expanding vocabulary. “My purpose is to spark a curiosity and excitement in the viewer, and feel a glimpse of what I felt making the work.”
Bazil Mota is a young Goan artist whose primary choice of medium is watercolour because it is a challenging and surprising medium. “Watercolour has a mind of its own. It’s only when the artist and this medium come together in a proper mindset that magic on paper is created.”
Vibha Singh’s abstract depiction of red bloom, with greens, yellow ochre background, is life in bloom, with tiny figures which look like fairies. It is elusive and whimsical, and strives to express energy, while capturing fleeting and powerful moments, all of which grab the viewer’s attention to the emotion of the painting.
Shiresh Deshpande says, “Light plays a very important role in creating the required drama to draw the viewer into my world.” His landscape is a welcome change from semi-abstracts. The detailing in the trees, hutments, play of light and shade, and delicate line-work is a deeply personal expression and communication of an artist.
CHARCOAL & COLOUR
During the lockdown, Sachin Upadhye practiced working with charcoal, and exhibits his recent series of nudes with bold strokes combined with delicate effects of the graceful form of the body.
Says he, “On one hand, the unexpected beauty of the white and black charcoal line is something carefree that captivates me, and the core of this series, is the freedom of brushstrokes. The beauty of the human anatomy, as much as it’s difficult to master, can look very classy if depicted with the right sense of maturity, and the beauty of charcoal drives me to continue this subject.”
Subhash Babhulkar, a lecturer at the Government College of Art and Design, Aurangabad, deals with the life of humans in diverse situations. Anxiety and elation, expressing emotions in semi-abstract portraiture in a monochromatic palette, with heavy impasto, opens a complex inner world.
White limbs of the figure and cattle, intense textures in black, and optical forms hold the viewer’s attention.
Prakash Bal Joshi, a self-taught artist, and journalist for over three decades, observed and practiced the finer nuances and sublimities of art, and portrays changes in the urban landscape, brought on by development – a concern voiced by many contemporary painters. “Art, for me, is food for the soul; it inspires, encourages, illuminates every aspect of life.”
Vibha Singh, portrays Indian deities; her visual forms interplay with abstract concepts which have roots in the surrounding culture. These are in a wide spectrum of colours, heightened by a depiction of allegorical religious symbols which infuse a feeling of mystical aroma.
Dr Sonam Sikarwar opines, “As an artist, my constant endeavour is to challenge my imagination, and birds have always fascinated me, and have their own story.” Her line drawing is that of a bird on a red background. Lines are the main element, interspersed with harmonious refined textures.
Reena Singh has shades of brown and blue strokes in her abstract work. The main element, organizing the space is interspersed with harmonious colours, is a continuous search in movement, of lines and colours.
