Taming the abstract

Art In his latest exhibition, Deepak Rajbhar says his works are academic and spontaneous

March 20, 2012 07:04 pm | Updated 07:04 pm IST

Neither abstract nor representative,  depends on the viewer’s perspective. Photo: Special Arrangement

Neither abstract nor representative, depends on the viewer’s perspective. Photo: Special Arrangement

Unusual colourscapes become backdrops and support powerfully-built shapes and lines in Deepak Rajbhar's latest exhibition “Tamed Elements” at Gallery Blue Spade.

The collection is so titled because the artist is trying to connect nature, the elements and the state of mind.

The first painting one comes across in the gallery is “Overflow”, with a grey central background and a lattice-like structure composed of complex bonds of white and black. The white and black combine to form a fuzzy surface like poor reception on a TV screen on the side of the panel.

“My works are both academic and spontaneous,” says Rajbhar. “I incorporate both to search for my character. My works are process-based and are neither abstract nor representative. It entirely depends on the viewer's perspective.”

Figures made of white and/or black, sometimes intermingling with other colours, are found in “Ferment”, “Impulsive”, “Parched”, “Influence”, “Aqua”, “Fragments”, “Abyss”, “Interference” and many other works.

In “Ferment”, a lava-like coat of yellow and black cascades from all sides of the canvas, while a primordial shape of black, white and blue is suspended in the centre. “Impulsive” is another sharp piece of work with thin white lines like cracks on a greyish-green textured background. An unexpected light blue rectangular patch appears on the top.

“Influence” and “Aqua” are also memorable. “Influence” is composed of chalky lines forming a helix-like structure on the right side while giant cat-like textures in gradients of yellow occupy a swirling black haze on the left.

In “Aqua”, spidery, dotted white lines are splashed across a black background. An almost luminescent spongy shape is painted on the left while small panels of gray appear on the top right.

Rajbhar follows two steps when he paints. “In the first step, my painting is a subconscious process where my daily experiences are translated onto the canvas. The second step is a conscious process where I work on the surfaces of what I have painted.”

What's fascinating about Rajbhar's works is the way these lines constantly appear in different forms, in different contexts. The sense of texture and surface and what each conveys is very strong. Even the colour seems to come across powerfully, just because of their unusual gradients and textures.

“I believe in the Buddhist philosophy that if one does any task with a full mind and heart, one can achieve the state of nirvana or mental peace. Even when one follows a personal discipline, there's a problem in each step which we solve consciously and start fresh every day.”

He also believes that every artist needs to have his own style and use techniques that are suited to his character.

“Tamed Elements” will be on view at Gallery Blue Spade, The Chancery, No 10/6, Lavelle Road, until April 14. For details, call 22115718, 22221696.

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