EXHIBITION OF GOAN TALENT

NAGUESH RAO SARDESSAI

The 34th State Art Exhibition 2008-09 of the Artist Category is currently on at the Goa Kala Academy’s Art Gallery.

Judged and selected by an eminent panel of judges, the exhibition is divided into three categories namely Painting, Applied Art and Sculpture. With painting category having the largest number of entries whilst the other two categories lacked the necessary response.

Many of the works deserved to have been of desired quality, however things did not seem to be very healthy. Judging a work of art, with whatever other theories going around, is by and large a subjective act. Nevertheless, judges are expected to follow certain criteria and unwritten rule.

The applied section has quite a few quality works with the prizes awarded to the rightful and deserving posters and photographs. The sculpture section fell short of expectation. Whereas, the painting section has on view a blend of works with quality oscillating from extremely good to pathetically shoddy.

Having said that, the response to this annual exhibition is improving with many artists participating with enthusiasm. Norman Tagor Fernandes, Soniya Rodrigues Sabharwal, Shripad A. Gurav and Sudin S. Kurpaskar amongst the prizewinners, did praiseworthy works.

Ashwini Sardessai, Aadhi Vishal, Bijli S. Gosavi, Hitesh PankarVasudev Uday Shetye, Shilpa M. Nasnolkar and Veenita Sadguru Chendvankar are other artists to watch for quality.

Shripad A. Gurav’s “Wounds”, Soniya Rodrigues Sabharwal’s “Me & My People I” and Kirtikumar Prabhu’s “Impression In Ruins” deserves special mention.

Norman’s “Untitled” and Asmani Kamat’s “Composition” complete with geometric configuration, both painted in monochrome, exhibit refinement. Sudin’s “Lost In Woods” show a lot of promise. Whereas, Vijay Bhandare’s “Myth Of Sumerian Boat” not just exhibit in-depth understanding of the art of painting but goes on to exude maturity along with Sandesh Shetgaonkar’s “My Sister”.

Besides the prizewinners from the applied art section that includes Kalidas K. Satardekar, Sunil H. Naik, Rohan C. Naik, Seema A. Kanekar, Vinda Kare and Rudi D. Silva there are other participants to look out for.

Chandan D. Naik Gaounkar, Mahesh Teli and Akil Ahmed Shaikh have done a nice job.
Kirtikumar Prabhu, Tanaji Shet, Oswald S. Palha and Sidharth P. Gaitonde make a mark with their creative sculpture.