An exhibition showcasing abstract art is not common in Hyderabad, with the market being skewed towards figurative works. The rare few go unnoticed unless they have the ability to arrest the viewer’s attention. A Dialogue: Finite/Infinite, an ongoing exhibition at Daira art gallery, invites and nudges viewers to find out more — about the artists, the context in which they painted these abstracts and where these concepts can lead to.
Conversation with coloursCurator Atiya Amjad says the idea of the show was to initiate a conversation about art in its pure form, which has the ability to relate to human emotions like music. The participating artists are Bhopal-based Akhilesh Varma, rated among the best abstract artists in the country, and Chennai-based Gita.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gita’s paintings are eye-catching, in shades of crimson that reminds the spectator of temples. The imagery seems to conceal within it female forms with rustling silks, foreheads bearing vermillion, elements of temple architecture and at times, musical instruments. With thick brush strokes, the artist uses multiple textures over several layers on the canvas. Gita is also a documentary filmmaker and believes that filmmaking is an extension of artistic expression.
At first glance, Akhilesh’s paintings appear to tread the mid path between figurative and abstract as one tries to understand the several possible forms that emerge from the mosaic of patterns. Figures of men and women, cattle, horse and even cityscape all find representation on his canvas. Unlike Gita who largely uses crimson, Akhilesh’s narrative happens through vivid hues, from olive greens to canary yellows. The artist encourages viewers to relate to the paintings by having a dialogue with colours, forms and textures. The exhibition also displays five print works by Akhilesh, which were exhibited in France. Akhilesh is the author of