NAGUESH RAO SARDESSAI
Visit Goa Kala Academy’s Art gallery and take a tour of the
raw and real spaces of Goa. Goan fishing trawlers, old houses, important
monuments, nondescript corners in the rural interiors and other such spots have
been wonderfully brought to light by young and talented Darshan Shetye.
Beaches, temples, churches etc have come to be clichés that
are flogged for far too many years and times. Darshan, graduate from Goa
College of Art, has attempted to move with the times and explore those aspects
that have hitherto been overlooked – politically and socially.
Forty-four of his watercolour paintings are up for viewing.
Darshan’s leaning towards this seemingly difficult medium is in itself
appreciable. Darshan, even though, has a long way to go yet he seems to have
got the right hold over this unpredictable medium.
Many of the works bring forth the immense potentiality
housed in him as an artist. Flamboyant serve of pigment loaded brush that drips
at the appropriate place and washes away to form a fine layer at the other
spots further accentuated by minimal details - highlighted by applying
ostensibly opaque colour – reflects Darshan’s march towards refined
draftsmanship.
Watercolours need to be tamed. Darshan is quite successful
in understanding this medium. However, he needs to work towards getting hold
over the nuances and building on the repertoire of techniques. ‘Morning Magic’
and ‘Still Afternoon’ exhibits his understanding and ability to play with the
tonal subtleties and apt hues. ‘Wet Bus Stand’ and ‘Bus Stand’ are the works
that entice the viewers. Typical monsoon feel gets accentuated in these
paintings and reveal the passion Darshan has for the medium. ‘Warm Welcome’ has
mud façade of rural house overwhelm the picture space yet remain raw and
subtle.
‘Fishing’ stands out for its photo realistic exactness and
apt manufacture of the marshy, swamp like spots identified during the rainy
days. Trawlers lined up on the sandy shores and canoes parked along the beaches
gets tightly framed and uniquely composed. The pastel bright colours and
casually painted animal and human forms enliven Darshan’s paintings.
Taking time off his professional commitment as a graphic
designer, Darshan paints and hopes to earn mastery over the medium.
The current show will be on till October 20.
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