HARMONIES AND DIMENSIONS

Pravin Naik and Vasudev Shetye showed their latest creations at the Art Gallery of the Kala Academy, Goa. These two young artists have held numerous joint shows and have been consistently painting appreciable works and producing quality paintings.

Praveen and Vasudev’s works are both cerebral and visual. The symbolic elements overwhelm the viewer’s in Pravin’s works whereas, Vasudev is more illustrative and decorative.

Pravin does not paint pretty pictures. This simple young man is loaded with philosophical queries, queries that get transformed into visual forms. Symbolic motifs against curious background build an enigma. However, the motifs are recognizable forms like birds, fish, pair of wings, floating garment etc.

The viewer has only to connect with the visuals and derive his own meaning out of it. The configured forms express the artist’s point of view and leave the onlookers to do their independent analysis. Pravin is preoccupied with the search for the meaning in life. Soul, human existence, the higher, subtle forces and other issues consume and influence the choice of subjects.

The visual magic created by multiple layering of pigment forces the hues to shimmer and add visual charm to these intriguing works. The generally acknowledged truth infuses universal appeal and facilitates easy understanding.

Vasudev’s paintings are narrative in comparison and address the raw reality in life. Touched by the feelings, fears, hopes and aspirations of the feminine gender Vasudev has attempted to give pictorial voice to these aspects. Tapestry of piece of cloth, leather, metal piece etc. besides the usual elements of art like lines, forms, colours, and such others elevate the standard of his works. He skillfully merges and conceals these aspects in the paintings that create a maze of forms beautifully juxtaposed to exude pleasurable feelings. Vasudev infuses the independent foreign elements with a completely new meaning.

Vasudev prefers to make a simple comment and present the situation in possibly the most pleasing way and leave the interpretation of his work of art to the viewers.

Praveen and Vasudev, both art teachers by the day, once again have come together to present their new creations.

KALEIDOSCOPE OF GOA

‘Kaleidoscope of Goa’ is an interesting exhibition of photographs currently showing at the Art Chamber, Calangute.

With nearly fifty works on display, collectively, Assavri Kulkarni and Rudolf Ludwig have put up a formidable show of quality pictures of various facets of Goa and moments in the life of the natives.

Rudolf has successfully captured the mood and the feel of the individual subjects in his portrait pictures, whereas Assavri has gone on a different trip altogether clicking the hinterlands and assimilating the essence of the typical raw, rural Goa.

Each of them has done justice to their creations and has managed to elevate the mundane into the realm of exotic. Old lady clutching an umbrella, a keen listener, a carefree cigarette smoker and other simple subjects have been given a negligible but effective twist to get a significant impact and transform the photographs into admirable piece.

‘Dome’ and ‘Wing’ are two standalone works. Here, Rudolf seems to make an effort to capture the design and pattern to titillate the creative viewers and intrigue the critical observers. With no human intervention, the serene frames entice and draw curious yet sublime reaction.

If Rudy prefers tight shots, Assavri scuttles between extremes close-ups and capturing wider scenes. Some of her pictures are brilliant and evoke the mood of the subject. An old lady in ‘Window’, caught within a blood red doorframe, looking in askance, inspires numerous queries. Similar is the case with the ‘Rooster and Window’.

‘Water and Rocks’ has a mystic aura. Birds, cows, ants, termites, tribal people and the complex yet comforting conundrum in nature is what finds a pride of place in Assavri’s photographs. Even the seemingly abstract but botanically apt patterns, found on the leaves and stems, get transformed into an articulate work of art in the frames of Assavri’s pictures.

The exhibition is on view till January 6.

PUNEET KAUSHIK’S ‘GERMINATION’

‘Énsnared’ is one of the works, amongst a couple of installations and drawings by Puneet Kaushik, which catch ones attention at the Kerkar Art Complex, Calangute.

It does catch the viewer in a web of intriguing patterns and complex shadows. That’s what Puneet seems to expect. And he hits the nail on the head, both literally and metaphorically.

A delicate wire mesh cascades from the ceiling in a somewhat studied manner. Closely resembling cobweb, the painstakingly crafted pattern with the aid of delicate stainless steel wire when drenched in strategically installed focus light casts stimulating shadows against the wall and creates dramatic effect.

As if commenting on the vagaries of life and the delicate situation in the world full of hypocrisy, deceit and subterfuge, Puneet engages the viewer for an introspective trip. By deliberately pushing the debate, he turns into a creative activist.

Intellectually stimulating ‘Dislocated Roots’, even though hangs from the ceiling, seem to be in suspended animation, floating in midair with a dying hurry to engage with the ground beneath.

His drawings are a reflection of his installations crafted with charcoal, ink and sequin dust.

This fine art graduate from the Jamia Millia University, India and further trained at the University of California, Berkeley (Extension) San Francisco, CA, USA, has reasonably amount of experience in the field of art. Having attended numerous workshops and camps and held solo shows in India and abroad besides winning many laurels, Puneet’s credentials are loaded.

The current show, titled ‘Germination’ is brought to you by Vibhu Kapoor’s ‘Gallery Beyond’ in association with the ‘Kerkar Art Complex’, Goa.

The works will be on view till January 10, 2010.

SURREAL AND SPIRITUAL

Aadhi Vishal is one of the emerging stars on the art firmament. Looking at the trajectory of growth of this young artist, there’s no doubt that he’ll appreciate with every passing day.

Art chamber, Calangute, recently hosted an exhibition of his latest works. On display were paintings done in watercolour on paper and acrylic on canvas. It’s interesting to view his works for the sheer size with which he works.

Wonderland is what Aadhi Vishal constructs for us, mere mortals, using the usual artist’s paraphernalia – paint and brush. Fairy type forms float in the space loosely framed by supporting forms of transmuted figures, lilting and visually enticing decorative designs and such other elements.

Young and raring to go, Aadhi Vishal dares to explore the complexities of life. Wondering into the realm of ‘Maya’ he attempts to grapple with queries that crowd his thinking. The answers flow through the upper limbs, to spill out onto the picture surface, and leave an indelible mark on the viewers’ memory slate. Curious source guides him and Aadhi Vishal acts as a humble medium.

"If Poetry comes not as naturally as the Leaves to a tree it had better not come at all," thus said renowned poet John Keats. Spontaneity is the key in the process of painting for Aadhi Vishal and he refuses to compromise.

He has developed a vocabulary of his own and speaks the language that connects with the heart. Pregnant concepts housed in the deep recesses of his subconscious are delivered with natural ease.

Fascinated with feminine form, he voices the concerns of the fairer gender. Evolving with every other exhibition, beginning with ‘In Search of The Ultimate’ to ‘Self To Selfless’ and the current show, Aadhi Vishal’s paintings are growing more sober and classy. Selective forms, limited symbols and rationed use of hues accentuate the maturity the artist has acquired.

Even though the works fall in the semi-surrealistic genre, the influence of Indian miniature is visible in the meticulous details and the attractive decorations.

His works, as this writer had mentioned a few years earlier, can be called phantasmagoric. Personalised Symbols and hybrid and stylized forms add curious twist to the tale and transform every work into adorable and collectible piece.