The fifth day of the week-long international SPIC MACAY convention at IIT Madras witnessed eminent artist Anjolie Ela Menon interacting with delegates. “Our lives are ephemeral, but great art will last through centuries,” said Menon as she focussed on the necessity of the present generation being exposed to good pieces of art and inspiration from around the world. “I hope by the time you grow up, you find time to visit places like Ajanta and Ellora and witness the art that this country has to offer,” she said.
“The greatest thing that religion gave to this world was art and music,” she added, discussing her art work Yatra, a mural inspired by the Kanwar Yatra. “The greatest art and cathedrals, the famous Buddhist cave paintings in China, everything was inspired and patronised by religion”, she added.
Paintings and murals from her numerous collections, including her most recent art-work which celebrates the Indian streets were presented at the event. “In India, streets are not a place to move from one place to another, it is where the people live. They live, work, sell, buy and romance on the streets,” she said.
The session concluded with her urging the present delegates to make time for witnessing and experiencing great art and taking inspiration from it. “Spend some time getting off Facebook and WhatsApp and tour a museum, whether you are going to be an artist or not; don’t miss the opportunity to see art.”
