Chitramayee State Gallery of Art is hosting an exhibition that takes a slight detour to the conventional oil on canvas and mixed media paintings. Originally a Hyderabadi and now based in Mumbai, artist Radha Reddy has unveiled her collection of paintings on silk fabrics in the city.
A self-taught artist who took to painting four years ago, Radha uses habotai, Pochampalli, khadi and raw silks. “I researched on different kinds of silks before painting. Once the dye is applied to the fabric and the painting is completed, the fabric has to be steamed for about four to six hours. The fabric has to have the tenacity to withstand the high temperature. Habotai silks are used in the US for paintings and during my research, I learnt that the Japanese use raw silk. Once the painting is done, the fabric is stretched and framed,” explains the artist.
Painting on silk is easier said than done, since dyes are known to spread quickly once applied on the fabric. For the 40 paintings on display, she used French dyes, fabric paints and oil pastels. On her paintings, she says, “I like to paint on themes related to spirituality. I want the viewer to feel the calmness through the paintings.” Apart from figures drawn from Hindu mythology and Buddha, the paintings also show themes related to spirituality.
The artist, who is also a member of the Silk Painting Gallery Network, has showcased her work in Mumbai earlier but this is her first full-fledged exhibition at an art gallery. Also on display are oil on canvas works by Hrsha and Sona.
What: Paintings on silk
Where: Chitramayee, State Gallery of Art, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur
When: Till November 6; 10.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
