How do you appreciate a piece of art? Does it matter whose mind and hands were behind the work? What does artistic value include?
When you look at the art work by the students of Spastic Society of Karnataka, these questions may crop up in your head. To try and absorb everything the pieces can offer is probably not the best way to engage with the work, for there will be much to take in. Presenting tiny details of learning to big stories of healing, the exhibition and sale ‘Inspirations’, is on at The Purple Turtles, Indiranagar.
The paintings and stationery products made as part of the rehabilitation and vocational training programme at SSK, have a distinct professional feel to them. The artists, whose strokes speak of confidence, are students in the age group of nine to 16 years with neuromuscular and development disabilities.
Among the works are a set of pleasant surprises. The works by students trained in Madhubani from Bihar, and Gond and Warli from Madhya Pradesh are interesting. The symmetry in the geometric designs of the Madhubani pieces, paint a good picture of the children’s skills. The Gond paintings, with varied infilling patterns, are of colourful fish and deer contrasted against plain yellows, reds or violets.
The children seem to have also taken to reproducing flowers, birds and butterflies creating a palette of colours. Adding to this, the younger ones have come out with a set of abstract paintings one can bounce creative ideas off. Also among the products are a range of sceneries, representing different atmospheres, ready to make up any wall.
Although their products are usually available for sale within the school, it is a first for the Art Unit of SSK to step outside and look for a larger customer base. The unit works mainly with volunteering guides to help the children craft their ideas.
Paintings of varying sizes and products such as pen stands, frames and folders among other stationery are part of the exhibit and sale that is on at The Purple Turtles, Indiranagar till August 1.
