IN SEARCH OF BALANCE

 

NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

‘What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.’ Thus opens the most poignant poem of the last century. Written by British poet, William Henry Davies and titled ‘Leisure’, it goes on to very precisely touch on the grave reality of this era.

Written in the early parts of the twentieth century, life today has picked up speed and transformed into a fast paced thriller with virtually ‘no time to stand and stare’.

‘In Search Of Balance’, an exhibition of paintings by Ajay Kothawale, touches upon this aspect and the multiple roles that individual of today plays during the course of his life.

Over twenty-five works amuse and educate at the same time. Taking a cue from his own life, Ajay has spoken the universal truth albeit in a veiled manner. Seemingly microcosmic issues elucidate macrocosmic reality. As a male, Ajay had to juggle between various roles in life. Be that of a son to his parents or brother to his siblings or husband to his wife or father to his progeny, he has played each one of them quite successfully.

He has taken time off from his hectic schedule to ‘Stand And Stare’, observe life and learn from it. The paintings articulate his thoughts. A work titled ‘The Balance’ is an epitome of his language.

Visual in this painting, of a huge elephant, carrying a still larger bundle of mundane domestic items such as cooking gas cylinder, Childs tricycle etc., mounted on a nondescript tiny ball – that has an oblique reference to earth – performing the seemingly miraculous balancing act, is self explanatory.

Minimal images in the series titled ‘Potential Energy’ enhance visual impact. Cooking gas cylinder, baby feeder, child etc. articulates the existence of latent force and the constructive possibilities housed in them. The images are symptomatic.

‘Endurance’ is another works that deserves mention for voicing the pain of his wife and many other workingwomen and the path she adopted. Buddha-like calmness exuding from the central figure amidst cacophonic environment and discordant surroundings preaches endurance.

Recurring images of delicate flowers and subtle designs, aid in adding a dash of femininity and much desired hope. These images tone down the philosophical heaviness and infuse the paintings with impressionable aura.

Ajay’s mixed media works are a potpourri of pigment, newspaper and magazine cutouts, discarded garment pieces, soiled currency notes, thread and whatever fancies him. The Art Teacher in him encourages him to be subtly preachy. His works connect with the viewers on multiple levels – visual, philosophical, interpersonal etc.   

Armed with a degree in fine arts from the Goa College of Art, Ajay plunged into practicing art before holding his first major solo show, titled “ ROOTS” at Alliance Francaise de Goa, Panaji, in 2002. Ajay participated in numerous group show, notable amongst them are  ‘Imagine’, organised by Fundacao Oriente, Panaji; ‘Green Palette’ and an unique show with sculptures, paintings and Bonsai titled ‘Juxtapositions’ at Art Chamber, Calangute; a group show curated by Jenepher N. Bramble at Kerkar Art Complex, Calangute and ‘Draw a line’ curated by celebrated writer, Margaret Mascarenhas at Sunaparanta – Goa Centre For The Arts, Altinho.

Besides this he has participated in prestigious shows such as ‘Summer Show’ at Art Today - New Delhi; ‘Portugal through the Eyes of Artists in Goa’, Organised by Consul General Of Portugal, Goa & New- Delhi; and various art camps and workshops.

He is the recipient of various awards and earned a ‘Fellowship’ from the Goa College of Art in 1997. Fashion Designer Wendell Rodricks, British collector Jenepher Bramble, Architect Chow Padmasee, Artist Yolanda de Souza Kamermeier are some of the private collectors owning his works.

Few of the institutions like Alliance Francaise de Goa – Goa, G. P. F. Gallery - South Wales, West Zone Cultural Centre - Udaipur, Directorate of Art & Culture – Goa have his works in collection.

The current show will be inaugurated today and the show will be open till January 11.