Tiny bits of paper painstakingly put together to create landscapes, abstract figures and birds that come together in an intricate collage, which is a form of Japanese art called Chigiri-E, have been given immaculate attention by Delhi-based artist Jyotirmoy Ray, who has pioneered the technique. Every feather in a birds plume has been created using a different-coloured strip with fine detailing in the foliage in the scenery collages.
The artist’s works are on display at an exhibition titled ‘Flight to Freedom-Harmony and Synthesis’ at the India International Centre.
Describing the process of creating the collage, the 82-year-old says that whenever he finds some interesting colours in a newspaper or magazine, he cuts it and keeps it in a box, which then becomes his palette. He then waits for a trigger to spark his creativity. Many of his works are landscapes that he sees during his travels across the world. Ray being a bird lover, birds of different types fill almost every frame.
“It is these birds that give life to every frame. Every effort should be made to protect them,” he says.
Although Ray formalised his artistic skill through evening classes at the Department of Fine Arts, Pitsburgh University, in 1957, he came to know of Chigiri-E in 2007 when a friend introduced him to it in Japan.
The bulk of his work of over 60 pieces was done between 2008 and 2012, which also helped him overcome grief after his wife passed away in 2007.
This is the first time that he is exhibiting in India, after two exhibitions at the Leaf Gallery in Kobe, Japan.
The exhibition will continue at the Art Gallery in the Annexe of the India International Centre till July 23.
