Pictures in contrast

The exhibition, ‘Summer Showers,’ can be subtly appealing or eye-grabbing. Lalithaa Krishnan writes.

An array of paintings displayed at the exhibition. Photo: Dominic Raj

Still life compositions with the ubiquitous vase and flowers, scenes of temple towns infused with a sense of timelessness, cool pastel-hued abstracts, pen and ink sketches smoothed by subtle washes of colour – there’s something for everyone who happens to be a watercolour enthusiast, at the ‘Summer Showers’ exhibition-sale of paintings at Gallery Sri Parvati, which features the works of both senior and up-and-coming artists.

While some works catch your attention right away, there are others that exude a quieter, more subtle appeal that draws you into the frame, transforming you from onlooker to participant.

Asma Menon’s themes convey elements of the surreal. An air of desolation hangs over the ruins and remnant arches in ‘Ghost Town.’ Hovering above, is a winged white form, while the animal silhouettes in the foreground, waiting and watching, emphasise the quality of darkness.

In

K. Srinivasan’s ‘Untitled- 2’, the use of bright, invigorating greens and buttery yellows in translucent gel-slice chain-link formations with areas of bright purple contrast is arresting.

If the central subjects, a man and woman with their unborn child, armed with a defiant courage against the vagaries of an uncertain world and future, engage you with their symbolism, equally, the technique used in the detailing of the foliage and the denizens of the tree overhead as well as in the rippling, chiffon-textured stream with perky red water lilies in the foreground, merits a detailed scrutiny in B.H. Logesh’s ‘Family under the Tree.’

In contrast,

Narendra Babu’s ‘Threshold to Dream,’ which hangs opposite, though holding a point of similarity in the use of tribal pictorial vocabulary, varies markedly in terms of mood. The feel is joyous, every line a celebration of life, of colourful festivals and of folklore. A coconut tree is the focal point, flanked by a bull and a man.

V. Saravana Raghavan’s ‘Varanasi 1’ employs conventional perspective but moves beyond stereotypes in capturing the ghats at a quiet time of day, the golden light burnishing the steps leading down to the Ganga.

Anandakumar’s brush captures the bustle and colour of crowds thronging the Tiruvannamalai Temple, with the stately gopuram, mandapam and other architectural details clearly defined in this pen and ink watercolour wash.

A sense of free-flowing space lends airiness to A.C.Rajasekar’s ‘Still life-2’ in which a red-yellow- orange palette delineates a mosaic vase and flowers.

Pink and yellow shaded lotus petals shelter a human figure poised in yoga asana in B.O. Sailesh’s ‘The Human Bee.’

Senior artist V. Senathipathy’s oeuvres have won renown for the masterful technique underlying his interpretation of intermeshed concepts and emotions within his figures, as evidenced in ‘Appearance’ and ‘Love.’ Here, the patterning, colours and intricate details coalesce in a complex collage that invites introspection.

A burst of speckled crimson flowers, with multi-hued leaves against a vivid layered turquoise background, sets Durga’s ‘Shoe Flower’ apart, and testifies to the artist’s skill as an adventurous colourist.

Arun’s forte lies in realistic portrayals. In ‘Endeavour’ the merging of sand, waves and horizon serves to soften the outlines of the lean sunburnt bodies and corded muscles of fisherman pushing boats out to sea.

In Krishnaswamy’s ‘Fighters,’ steely intent is writ large on the face of a khaki clad gun-wielding soldier.

S. Suresh Kumar’s permutation of perspectives augmented by the striking contrast between a brilliant emerald background and a striped violet tablecloth lends an interesting twist to his ‘Still Life – 1’ of vase, flowers and fruit.

Lakshu’s works reiterate that mind must work in consonance with heart in order to translate resolution into action in implementing the ‘Go Green’ initiative. Other participating artists include Douglas, K. Muralitharan, Palaniappan, Balasubramanian, Rajan Fulari, K. Aishwaryan, Saravana Kumar, Hima Bindu and Anand.

With prices starting at Rs.3,000 the group exhibition , which features 23 artists, focuses on the affordable art concept and is on till June 5.