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.