Between the lines

In his latest solo, Paresh Hazra brings together some old and new works to present a wide spectrum of his oeuvre

A riot of colours, a medley of stories and a melange of mediums...This is what Paresh Hazra’s latest show in the city looks like. Paresh studied art at Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata and moved to Bengaluru where in the initial years, he taught art at a residential public school. People and their lives have always occupied prime space on his canvas. As the artist showcases his latest exhibition, Paresh talks about how his oeuvre has evolved over the years.

How have your stories changed over the years?

There is a beauty in an artist’s thought. I like exploring ideas and stories and how it takes form when I start painting. We, Silloo (Siloo Daruwalla of Crimson Art Gallery) and, I thought it would be a good idea to put some old and latest works together to show different stages of an artist’s life and work.

After so many years, do you see any major departures in your style?

Yes, I do see a visible difference and so can you in this show. The show exhibits few selected works from the last 18 years. So you can see gradual changes in some of my paintings and also in so many other paintings in my studio which have not yet been exhibited such as huge paper-pulp works, 4 feet by 5 feet charcoal works and other experimental pieces. I travel and read which inspires me to use new forms and motifs for my work.

There are a few works which are distinctive from others in the show. Only a few hands, a flute, leaves are visible depicting a dream-like world.

Those works were done during a different time/period. I was inspired by the philosophical ways of life, romanticism, fantasy, and stories from our Indian epics . There is time variation between each series and the process differs from time to time.

Tell us about your fascination for tempera and Bengal washes.

I learnt the Bengal wash technique while I was studying in Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata. It is where Bengal Wash took birth, in our college. It is one of the well-known schools of art which originated in India. It has its own beauty, charm and technique. The work speaks for it self.

As for tempera, it is the oldest method in the painting medium. It uses mostly natural pigments and binders. The beauty of tempera is as it ages the work becomes exquisite. Old is gold. Hence I prefer tempera mostly.

(The exhibition is on at Crimson, the Art Resource, The Hatworks Boulevard, 32 Cunningham Road, till September 8)