KARMAHOLIC

NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

 

If ‘Work Is Worship’ then Damodar Madgaonkar’s, recently held exhibition of paintings at Kala Academy, Goa, titled ‘Karmaholic’ eulogizes the spirit behind human efforts and hard work.

More than thirty odd paintings, an installation and a sculptural piece extol human endeavor to achieve excellence in the chosen field. Artists, musicians, teachers, students, laborers etc. are commended – albeit in a very creative manner through his strikingly innovative style.

  

Damodar is a surrealist with a difference. Rather, he is an artist who defies isms and works from an altogether distinct realm. Many of his paintings are portraits with creative twitching that adds unique character to them.

With no formal degree in art, Damodar has pushed his passion to the very edge of commendable refinement. Each of his creative pieces is a blend of microscopic details and bold lines and wide space. Keeping the compositions straight and conventional, he plays with the concept. Music, technology, films, photography etc gets intertwined with the human aspirations and flowers into success stories.

Damodar, a young, passionate and effervescent artist, does exude affirmative vibes. And his paintings are an extension of his personality. Flying elephant hovering over the forehead of Damodar’s self portrait goes to speak aloud about the inherent die-hard optimist in him. ‘I associate myself with elephant,’ says Damodar. ‘The combination of mild character with inherently humongous power to bring about change is what fascinates me.’

Conversely, he brings to light the questionable happenings and current scenario as well to light. ‘Today’s Human Being’ is a case in point. This lone installation, put together by arranging multiple gadgets that we are depended on, such as mobile phones, variety of watches, discarded motor parts, motherboard pieces etc add up to conjure a human face. This installation gives us a wakeup call.

The visuals, in his works, play a conjuring game that entices the viewers and glues them with intricate enigmatic brainteasers. Animals flow out of a human face that resembles a toy that further has a protruding lion standing guard. Down flows the plants, fish, leaves that are held upright by a form of a musical instrument.

‘DNA Of A Farmer’ depicts a farmer whose whole biological structure is transformed to represent vegetation. The protagonist in ‘Future of Legacy’ is Damodar’s nephew, against the backdrop of ‘Tabla’, who they wish and hope will carry the musical legacy forward.   

Damodar’s works are puzzle enthusiasts fodder and psychoanalysts delight.

He owes his success to his parents and his art instructor - Director of Pied Pieper Academy of Art, noted art teacher and accomplished artist - Wilson D’Souza.

Damodar has a long way to go. Besides managing his hospitality business, Damodar has immersed himself in creating such wonderful art works. He surely has a promising bright future.

The show was on view till October 30.