A reflection of the current environment and events, young contemporary artists have found an expression in their surroundings and personal experiences in the form of pop art.
On a five day art camp at the Krishnakriti Annual Festival of Art and Culture organised by Kalakriti Art Gallery, artists from all over the country are participating. Whether it is their personal experiences or views on society, these artists take inspiration from their day to day activities.
Artist Thirumala Thirupathi has found his muse in an Rs. 500 note. Painting the pathos of the common man and their constant battle with money is his favourite subject. Whether it's Mahatma Gandhi's dismay at people scrambling for money or the symbolic representation of wealth through a money plant, this artist draws his inspiration from his surroundings and personal experiences.
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“I have translated my personal struggle with money on the canvas,” he says.
Painting the urban jungle and the eternal dichotomy between development and preservation of natural environment is what Maredu Ramu, a postgraduate from University of Hyderabad likes to do. Use of bright colours to represent the urban landscape makes his work very upbeat.
Also participating in the art camp is Renu Anand who has moved away from canvas painting and has taken up tapestry to weave a room divider. “Lucrative opportunities for a fine arts student is less so we have to find ways of turning art into utility products,” says Renu who is a student of Indian Institute of Crafts and Design Jaipur.
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Sculptors like Dillip Malik, Shailesh Mohan Ojha, Sukumar Reddy are also a part of the art camp. Each of these sculptors has a message and a story to narrate through their work.
While some of the artists prefer doing a rough sketch before they start working on the campus, some artists like Hetal Chudasama prefers to follow her instincts. “I am a spontaneous person. I don't have any set ideas, I just want to put my thoughts on canvas,” she says. At the art camp the artists are given five days to complete their work and exhibit them. Their works will be auctioned to fund art students.