NAGUESH RAO SARDESSAI
The art arena has witnessed multiple changes and multitude
of art movements that challenged the status quo and pushed the envelope. The
lay viewers and the connoisseurs were initially provoked, prodded and
ultimately pacified, over a period, to acknowledge the revolutionary changes.
Art movements beginning with early Renaissance and status
elevating High Renaissance to dramatic compositions era of Baroque collectively
instigated and pushed the aesthetic boundary in visual art. Romanticism
disseminated that invisible line to give voice and expression to the emotions
of an individual artist.
‘Why Not?’ at every turn of history, was the natural
expression of angst exhibited by the practicing artists as a reaction to the
natural projection of astonishment and unguarded disdain.
‘Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts’, Altinho, is
saluting that spirit of the artists, who have made it possible and in a way
encouraged this curiosity-stimulating atmosphere for generations, by holding a
multi media show of works by young Goan artists titled ‘Why Not?’
‘Why Not?’ is curated by Vijai Bhandare, a young and dynamic
artist with multiple interest and practice. We are still in an era where the
image or concept or even the intention of an artist is questioned or inquired
into for camouflaged motives. ‘I have put this show with the sole purpose of
activating that inhibited angst and giving vent to free expression,’ says Vijai
explaining his side as a curator. ‘We, in a way, are saluting the revolutionary
spirit exhibited by the great masters by attempting to – humbly though –
emulate that independence.’
These 16 artists seem to honour these masters such as
Vincent Van Gogh, Francisco Goya and others for the commitment they showed
towards their creative independence.
Here, they might not have attempted any revolutionary ideas
– conceptually or technically – but few of them introduced nationally practiced
genre and technical novelty in the State.
Kedar Dhondu went berserk and poured his heart out on to the
entire wall of the Gallery. Black drawing against the virgin white of the
gallery overwhelms and envelops the entire space infusing an entirely creepy
feeling.
His small sized photo realistic images send a chill down the
spine. Grotesque to the core, the blood and gore reflects the reality of life.
Kedar is in your face artist who brings forth the reality without any
inhibitions.
Shilpa’s narrative yet poetic pictures, that she paints very
painstakingly, communicate with the viewers. Cup of tea triggers a chain of
ants that seems to march like an army from the corner of the room, striding
past the wall and conquer the artist’s picture. Mundane scene is elevated to
occupy the profound space of an elite art gallery and subsequently prompted to
run riot and leave mark on the walls. Here, this writer feels, Shilpa intends
to strike a dialogue and question the exclusivity of galleries and art works.
Shripad Gurav has exhibited a collaborative multi media work
that morphs the smile of his artist colleagues with that of the drawings of
Goa’s great late Francis Newton Souza.
Viraj Naik, Vitesh Naik, Ramdas Gadekar, Santosh Morajkar,
Chaitali Morajkar, Vasudev Shetye, Kalidas Mhamal, Siddharth Gosavi, Sachin
Naik and Rajesh Salgaonkar have exhibited some of their commendable works that
once again reiterate their skill.
Rajendra Usapkar, the senior most amongst the lot, has done
some interesting small sized works that deserve special mention. Vijai’s
surrealistic paintings transport the viewers to an altogether different plane.
He’s paintings are intellectually stimulating and visually enticing. Pradeep
Naik is another artist along with Santosh who has displayed different facets of
their creative oeuvre.
‘Why Not?’ one should have a go and look at this show is a
question that everyone should ask and then make a beeline to the gallery before
the show concludes.
The show will be on till September 8, 2013.
