The stark walls of Forum Art Gallery are filled with small canvasses all a riot of colour. Around the office, on pedestals, are miniature sculptures made from copper, bronze, brass and stone on just about every subject ranging from The Cow and The Moon to a woodpecker on a tree. ‘1x1 Of A Kind’ is an exhibition of paintings and sculptures in small format, held at Forum, in association with Progressive Painters Association.
The framed canvasses of S. Saravanan are a mix of different styles. There are some mythological references that play throughout the four paintings, but the geometric patterns and the colours used are reminiscent of Aztec and Egyptian styles. “The reason the show focusses on the small format this time is because there is a history behind it. The Progressive Painters Association was one of the first to hold a small format exhibition in the country (in the early 1970s). That apart, the art is very affordable and with shrinking spaces, people are more open to buying smaller works by prominent artists,” says Shalini Biswajit, Director, Forum Art Gallery. “The artists also find it challenging to paint or sculpt in that size.”
Interest in yoga
The mixed media canvasses of B.O. Shailesh do not just portray his interest in art but also in yoga. He transcends canvasses and works on cushion covers as well. The colours are kitsch and the central figure (a man) is seen in different asanas. In one, he is in padmasana, in front of an elephant, while another shows him in padahastasana, encased in a diamond door that is inside a silhouette of his head, perhaps to indicate his state of mind.
What is interesting about Raju Durshettiwar’s art is not the bright colours that draw you to his paintings but the intent. He paints gods through their colours. A storm of midnight blue with black captures Shiva (you can almost spot the trident in the whirlwind, if you look closer), the radiant glow of turmeric that eventually dissolves into red portrays Saraswathi, while a fiery red and orange with black strokes brings depicts Narayana. “The association has got together both eminent and emerging artists for the show. This year, we have art by 26 artists,” says Shalini.
Hemalatha’s enamel art is endearing, probably because the artist tries to paint like she sculpts. The paintings are colourful, one of Radha and Krishna playing his flute, catches the eye. The trees in the background gleam like jewels. Krishna plays on and Radha listens with her eyes closed. Hemalatha’s sculptures are lively and colourful as well. The copper Ganesh who is yellow and dotted with orange has indigo ears is a delight. The other is Krishna performing the Kalinga Nardhanam.
The women in A. Selvaraj’s paintings are expressive, ethereal and have lotus-like eyes. Ironic, since one of the women holds a lotus fondly. while the woman in the green painting looks on with a regal air. Manisha’s women, on the other hand, are serene goddesses. Their hair is loose, a soft wind blowing through them, they wear large red bindis, flowers on their ears and around their neck and in their hair, and their eyes are closed or slightly open. One of the women, in green, has her head cocked to one side, as if listening to a silent tune.
Playing with red
V. Viswanathan’s casein on canvas plays with the colour red. The gradation and the placing of red against black is interesting and could lead to many interpretations. Akkitam Narayan’s oil on canvasses are on a completely different plane. The colours are distinct and painted in squares and rectangles, separated by white spaces. In some, white lines with scriptures fill the spaces while others have watery waves, raging flames and a lotus flower, to indicate the elements.
Venkatapathy’s canvasses are filled with totems and Richard Jesudoss’ art brings murals to mind. S. Nandagopal’s copper sculptures of Krishna, Cow and the Moon and the Goat and Snake have great attention to detail. C. Douglas’ art and sculpture are also around the theme ‘Bell and the Child’. P. S. Nandan’s stone sculptures have an owl with splayed wings, among other works.
1x1 Of A Kind is on display at Forum Art Gallery, 57, Padmanabha Nagar, 5 Street, Adyar till January 18.
