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Naguesh Rao Sardessai

Studio 07 Fine Art Academy’s fifth annual art show was organised in collaboration with Ravindra Bhavan, Vasco; and titled ‘Folk Art’, had works exhibiting varied folk art traditions and stylistic variety that’s abundantly found in India.

Folk Art is moored in traditions that evolve within and from the community and culture. Folk art encompasses forms of visual art produced in the context of folk culture of the region and conveying shared community values and aesthetics. It mainly has practical utility and at times has exclusively decorative value.

Apeksha Nadkarni, the woman behind the show, has gained enormous experience over these years of teaching art to enthusiasts from the age of four to over sixty. Coming up with innovative concepts for her annual shows, that include exhibitions, in the past years, based on history of art and Goan greats in the field of art, Apeksha guided her students to revisit our roots and focus on folk art for this annual show. ‘Folk art is the root of art, ‘states Apeksha. ‘People, now, are indifferent towards our traditional art forms and the fear of losing the rich visual wealth is real. We should begin to introduce this art at school level and keep the tradition alive.’

‘This show, dedicated to folk art, is an attempt in that direction,’ explains Apeksha.

Serving multiple purposes of sensitising her students towards art, developing their skills, showcasing the produce and disseminating information about art and artists, Apeksha’s shows satisfy every viewer’s taste and appeals to all age group.

These works are produced by fifty-three of her students out of over eighty who attend her classes. Seventy-five folk art paintings are on display that includes rich tradition of Madhubani, Pahari, Warli, Gond, Kalamkari, Tanjore, Cheriyal Scroll, Kalighat, Pattachitra from the Indian subcontinent besides Russian miniatures and Mexican folk art.

Having trained over two hundred and fifty students till date, Apeksha’s focus is on quality rather than quantity. The works are painted with acrylics on canvas and paper. Each piece has captured the essence of folk culture and tradition and the students have produced visually stunning works.

She has gone a step forward and instituted awards that are annually conferred on one student from each category. The artist behind the best produced work in four categories at school level and one in senior category is presented with the said award. Besides this, a large sized canvas is collectively painted by all the students contributing in their own way, with an aim to foster brotherhood, unity and document the same in a pictorial form.

Some of the names that stand out amongst the junior artists are Kush Pai Raikar, Aarchi Gadekar, Pratik Borkar, Purvi Gaundalkar, Dhruv  Narvekar, Siyansh mahambrey and Maheera Shapukar.  The senior category has Esha Karpe, Daksh Faldessai, Kashish Korgaonkar, Tanisi Verenkar, Ilona Fernandes and Anjali Gandhe.

The show was open for public on Sunday, January 19 and Monday, January 20, 2020

‘INCEPTION’

‘Inception’ is an exhibition curated by Vidhya Chowgule Vernekar and Sandeep Murgaonkar where they intended to bring forth the expressions of a contemporary India through works of art.

Having vast experience of running a significantly impressive gallery, Vidhya and Sandeep have undoubtedly done a commendable job of picking up curious mix of painters and sculptors who collectively invite an inquisitive gaze.

Nine vivacious and extremely creative artists that include Aadhi Vishal, Aparna Khaunte, Babu Xavier, Francis De Sousa, Snehalata Prasad, Sonia Rodrigues Sabharwal, Thota Laxminarayana, Vasudev Shetye and Verodina De Sousa have been practicing art since long. Long enough to create works that exhibit maturity and exude quality.

Aadhi paints transmuted forms with subtle feminine touch reflecting the emotional aspect of human existence whilst Francis paints mundane subjects with seemingly casual forms. However, he intends to play with compositional variety and experiment with pigment at hand. Verodina’s sculptural pieces, which are again depicting daily life scenario, evoke loving response.

 Thota Laxminarayana’s line work inlaid with bright hue running behind the protagonists as a repetitive pattern infuses an illustrative feel. Yet, his works have a contemporary touch that is rooted in the native soil. Aparna’s ceramic pieces draw ones positive attention.

Xavier’s multihued elephant forms transport the viewers to experiencing childhood quilts neatly patterned to keep the onlooker engaged as well as deliver pleasurable experience. Vasudev’s subtle mix of realism and abstraction collectively adds value to his work that usually has a form or two acting as the central figure. The background in his work merges with the figures to create a cohesive composition.

Sonia and Snehalata are the other two who had displayed their works at the current show that showed at the ‘Bottlejack Bistro & Bar’ on 21^st and 22^nd September, 2019.

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3 D PHOTOGRAPHY

NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

Dilesh Hazare is back with another unique and innovative show as usual. Dilesh, in collaboration with ‘Entertainment Society of Goa’ and ‘Goa State Film Festival’, has organised an exhibition titled ‘3D Photography’ at the ESG Art Gallery, Panaji.

This show, reflection of a similar attempt twelve years back titled ‘Aabhas’, is a much refined version with immense maturity seen through each of his photographic pieces. Enthralled by new techniques, technology and media as well, Dilesh begins to see opportunities in them. Employing technical nuances and exploring creative possibilities, he creates an altogether altered reality for the viewers to explore and experience.

Graduate in Applied Art from the Goa College of Art and further trained at C-DAC, Pune with specialisation in 2D and 3D animation, digital world is the natural playground for Dilesh and latest technology in art are his tools.

Passionate about art and eager to do something different led Dilesh to try his hands at different subjects, varied media and distinctive presentation. Here, he has captured scenic nature, magnificent and intricate architectural structures and affable people. All this through a special photographic technique that, on casual look, belies the intricacy involved and mastery required to get the desired results.

Coming a long way from his conventional sketches, watercolour landscapes and moving to abstracts, Dilesh keeps himself abreast with the latest trends to pushes the boundary of experimentation. 25 of these 3D photographs, put up for the show, have to be seen wearing 3D goggles. Each of these photographs come out to the viewers and overwhelm. One feels drawn into the subject, be it Goan countryside or architectural structure such as temples and churches or interestingly photographed individuals faces that Dilesh has come across.

Adept at handling reptiles, nature conscious and committed to environment protection, Dilesh has put up 3D photographs of snakes that nearly come out of the frame.

Participating in many group exhibitions in India and abroad and several solo shows to his credit that includes one at the Lalit Kala Academy - Delhi, Dilesh has been part of noted artist camps. His paintings are in private collections across the globe.

He seems to have fingers on the pulse and attempts to give the viewers a very gratifying experience. This show is no different.

The exhibits will be on view till May 6, 2018.          

PATHIK - TRAVELERS 

NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

‘You yourself must strive. The Buddhas only point the way.’ This verse from the Dhammapada, a collection of sayings of the Buddha, is followed very diligently by nine enthusiastic artists from Goa, who are exhibiting their paintings based on Gautama Buddha at the Goa Kala Academy’s Art gallery.

The show titled ‘Buddha – In search of the enlightened” is an exercise in exploring and evolving a pictorial structure for the abstract yet profound pearls of wisdom by the enlightened master.

Conceived and curated by Vaishali Lall, graduate in fine arts from the Goa College of Art, the need for the show and the concept grew out of Vaishali’s individual attraction towards Buddha’s teachings.

Vaishali, an accomplished dancer, conducts classes and workshop on various forms of visual art that includes craft, oil painting and so on. A casual interaction with one of her student led her to conceive this exhibition and form a group labelled ‘Pathik’. Pathik is a Sanskrit word for traveller. Group comprising of Nitin Upadhyay, Preeti Verma, Siddhi Talwadker, Shradha Pal Patil, Darpan, Simpi, Suyash Tanawade and Dipti Sardessai is led by Vaishali and is on a journey of exploration, expression and realization.

Each of these artists has been trained by Vaishali except Dipti who has a degree in commercial art from the Goa College of Art. Passionate about painting, all have put in their best efforts in giving pictorial form to their understanding of Gautama Buddha and his teachings.

Dipti conducts art and craft classes for children as well as adults under the banner of Canopy Azure, an art and design community centre from Margao. Having participated in several group shows, her pieces on Buddha exude peaceful vibrations. Soft marble-white face of Buddha against dark background, amidst green leaves around and red lotus at the base speaks the gist of His philosophy.    

Nitin is curious about abstract and surreal art and his works are an example in expression of energy employing unique paint and texture that is unconstrained. He’s equally adept in painting realistic images with creative and surrealistic touch.

Darpan is a healer and her journey into art compliments her foray into spirituality. Her paintings reflect the spiritual refinement she has achieved and she believes that the art carries its own energy. Art for her is healing and reservoir of deep love and profound joy. The visuals in her wok evolve from her meditational and Reiki sessions and as such the works are pregnant with spiritual connotation. Her paintings have been exhibited at the Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai and at various private shows. 

Preeti paints to experience inner peace. She does murals, paints on canvas and glass and experiments with mix media besides doing silk thread jewellery, paper quilling items and wall hangings. Talented and skilful, her paintings are stylised yet realistic and neatly executed.

Shradha, gynaecologist by profession, feels that just like medicine art too heals. Always fascinated by art and the idea of creating something out of imagination, she credits her mentor Vaishali for making her believe in her capabilities. Bold in application of brush and approach towards composition, her paintings reflect the energy embedded in the words of Buddha.

Washed with blue hue, Siddhi’s Buddha reminds me of Lord Krishna. Holding a lotus in the right hand forming a Vitarka Mudra against a complimentary background, the painting speaks of the urgent need of reasoning and debate as against chaos that’s seen in this modern world. Lecturer in electrical engineering, Siddhi is fascinated by colours and passionate about expressing her emotions on canvas.   

A self-taught artist, Simpi’s paintings are simple yet fascinating. Adept at handling oils and acrylics, she prefers to use watercolours as it is a challenging medium leaving no room for error. One of her work with silhouette of Buddha filled with pure light against a delicate tree and splash of colours representing seven chakras along the spine is illustrative.    

Suyash’s play of primary colours and visual texture is interesting. Simple lines and serene forms add innocence to his works. Beginning with pen and ink sketches, he graduated to use colours. Employing acrylics and watercolours, Suyash does mandalas and murals as well. Naturally creative, he creates best out of waste especially miniature bikes from electronic waste. 

There’s grace and subtle movement in Vaishali’s works reflecting her training as a dancer. Her compositions are dramatic. One of the works has Buddha enveloped by eight leaves denoting eightfold path of the enlightened one. Conduct exhibitions, workshops, camps and courses in Art & Education, Vaishali plans to spread awareness and love for art.

The show will be on till May 3.

UJWALA ART GALLERY

CHAITALI'S ART CLASSES

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NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

Chaitali Morajkar’s ‘Paint Club Goa ‘ has done it again by organising an art exhibition of creative works done by children attending her art classes conducted in Mapusa.

This show, organised in collaboration with Lions Club of Mapusa, at the Art Gallery of Kala Academy, Goa, had about hundred and fifty paintings, over hundred drawings and nearly fifty craft pieces created out of waste material. Chaitali, a professional artist with over a decade and half years of experience in the field, forayed into teaching art to students around six years back. With few students to begin with, she has now over sixty attending her classes. Having trained more than four hundred art aspirants till date, Chaitali has created a niche for herself in this field.

A noted contemporary artist herself, with several awards and numerous exhibitions that includes solo as well as group events to her credit, Chaitali has the competence and the experience to guide and facilitate child’s creative growth in the most systematic manner.

Each of the student seem to have created their art piece, be it painting, drawing or craft item, with a lot of passion. Offering total freedom, Chaitali guides them independently with an aim to facilitate individual expressive ability and enhance their creative capabilities. She made them work with the ‘Elements of Art’ such as lines, forms, colours, shapes, space and texture.

Fourth exhibition in a row, this one had over hundred students presenting their creations. Drawing section saw the skill of these students in handling the basics like lines. Painting section had variety with mundane objects like scissors getting transformed into a monster animal, regular geographical map mutating into colourful play forms, regular printed photographs from the news magazines morphed into painted background to create a fresh context etc.

Craft objects, placed under the title ‘Little Plastic Monster’ were more of an exercise in sensitising the young participants of the dangers of excessive use of plastic. Each of the craft items were created out of hard plastic bottles, cups and other items.

Mehal Parab, Yuvraj Sinh Rane, Shlok Navekar, Avani Telang, Svetlana Coelho, Aarush Zarapkar, Pearl Khanolkar, Anju Rajbhar, Shivam R. Naik, Ridhi Korgaonkar and Ojas Parab displayed appreciable creativity and craftsmanship.

Employing varied medium like pencil, watercolour, acrylics etc. the participants put up their best works.

Concluding day of the show had young and enthusiastic artist Siddharth Kerkar presenting internationally recognised artists who create off-beat works and employ unconventional medium.      

        

   

BAMBOLKAR'S ART GALLERY