Rich textured backgrounds are suffused with the radiance of gold in Paresh Hazra's latest exhibition “Fireflies... and a Paper Tiger” in gallery Five Forty Five. The exhibition has been put together by the Right Lines Art Gallery in collaboration with gallery Five Forty Five.
The exhibition has on display two bodies of work — “Fireflies” and “Paper Tiger”, a standalone piece, occupying an entire section of the wall. Both bodies of work are radically different. “Fireflies” is the older series, inspired by the artist's trips to Shantiniketan and “Paper Tiger” is the latest, more contemporary piece of work.
The older series is more complex and colourful with its combination of textures and colours. The central elements in each of the works are the large, bright faces. The clear, smooth faces are a contrast to the dark, often mahogany brown, layered backgrounds with its slapdash of gold.
Motifs of flowers appear in the hands of the characters. And there are looping gold lines that intersect in jewel-like embossments of colour above and around the faces.
Paresh says that the series is inspired by the sights and scenes of Shantiniketan — the fireflies in the monsoon, the beautiful faces of his family, seasonal flowers. His works reflect the different textures of these different elements.
“These different images do not always have an associated meaning; every motif need not carry a meaning. But in totality the image looks beautiful. If I painted only faces, it would not produce this effect, the background needs separate treatment,” explains Hazra.
He feels that the dash of gold lends romance to the piece. It is also inspired by the Renaissance paintings, which were also painted in the medium of old egg tempera.
“Paper Tiger” on the other hand is a pleasant contrast both in terms of theme and technique. With its sparse colour combination of black and white with hints of red, the work exudes richness in its simplicity.
The painting simply depicts two white tigers stretched out against each other. But the tigers themselves are composed of newspaper pulp that sometimes reveals the text printed on it in the form of headlines.
“‘Paper Tiger' is a work about social drama. The newspapers constantly write about law and justice systems (like the Lokpal) and administration. Yet it ultimately amounts to nothing. It is just like a paper tiger, which appears like a tiger but is only just paper”
“Fireflies… and a Paper Tiger” will be on view until April 28 at Gallery Five Forty Five, 545, 6th Main, 4th Cross, Indiranagar. For details, call 98803 47039 or 98803 47794.
Old and new
Mythology and folk make way for the contemporary and urban in Kynkyny's latest exhibition featuring works by artists G. Subramaniam, Basuki Dasgupta, Shyamal Mukherjee and Dhananjaya.
Each of the artists employs unusual media (mostly mixed) or technique to represent subjects as varied (yet connected) as mythology and consumerism. G. Subramaniam employs collage to create charmingly detailed, eclectic images of the Indian gods including Ganesha, Hanuman, Radha, Krishna and Buddha.
“I'm a spiritual person, and it reflects in my subjects. But the reason why I chose collage is that I'm a graphic designer, so I feel more connected to paper instead of paint. Most collage artists work on abstract themes whereas my art is figurative, with feeling,” explains Subramaniam.
Dhananyaja also works with the medium of collage, but instead of paper, he creates his image using metal cutouts of advertisements for FMCG products.
With these cutouts, he intends to create a pop-art like effect and his subjects are as wide-ranging as nature, landscapes, scenes from urban life, and even figures from Indian folk.
Basuki Dasgupta's works are even more directly influenced by Indian folk. His paintings are a mixture of abstract motifs and folk-inspired figures (mainly faces) largely of the Indian woman.
He plays around with textures, relief and bright colours, infusing romance and playfulness into the image.
“I'm fascinated by folk forms and folk life. Their art is integrated into their life, with all its rituals. I play around with textures because I'm not comfortable with flat canvases, I like to feel the sensation of ups and downs on the canvas and the bright colours are a reflection of today's world, which is more vibrant. My work, as with any artist, reflects my present reality,” explains Basuki, whose childhood and upbringing was influenced by folk culture.
Shyamal Mukherjee's works in oil are a satire on the foolishly opulent lives of the upper class or what would have been called aristocracy.
The irony is conveyed through the bloated, comical characters with their almost manic expressions and deliberately grand attire.
The exhibition at Kynykyny Art, 104 Embassy Square, 148, Infantry Road, above Ganjam Jewellers will continue until May 3.
Call 40926202 for details.
