REFRESHING REALISM

 

NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

‘It is far easier to debate about realistic painting than to paint one,’ said Igor Valerievich Babailov, Russian-born American portrait artist.

Kolhapur based Richa Vora, who is currently holding an exhibition of her paintings titled ‘Resonating Hymns’ at the Goa Kala Academy’s Art Gallery, Panaji, does believe in it.

She has been consistently churning out amazingly realistic paintings of nature and rural lifestyle from across the country. This being her second show in Goa, in as many years, Richa has refined her skills over a year and come out with some unique works.

She has recently begun to experiment with a painting style that fuses the personality of the subject, in the case of portraits, with realistic form. The said portrait then goes beyond, mere, representational identity to add individual interpretations. ‘Ocean Dreams With Pia’ is the sole work from that genre, displayed for the viewers.

 ‘It’s the individual perception that makes the difference and makes life unique for everyone,’ believes Richa. And with the aforementioned style, Richa has begun to practice that maxim.

As an emerging young artist, Richa has her own perception for the infinite vast nature and the astonishing illusions of light and shade. Her paintings present an enriching experience to the viewers. She received her formal training in painting through G.D. Art programme from the famed ‘Kala Niketan’ in Kolhapur and then went on to receive valuable guidance from noted artist Sanjay Shelar. ‘I’m greatly indebted to my guide, Sanjay Shelar and my parents for being so supportive and encouraging through my art practice,’ informs Richa with pride. 

With over thirty works on display, Richa has presented the entire oeuvre that forms her strength. Landscapes, seascapes, portraits, still life etc. comes alive through her realistic paintings. The overwhelming realism transports one to an altogether different realm. She has dared to stick to her conviction and inner call and shunned the temptation to attempt abstraction and other nonrepresentational style.      

Being part of a family that constantly treks into jungles with group of friends and nature enthusiasts, it’s not amusing to find nature and rural lifestyle forming her primary subjects. ‘Eternal Blue’ or ‘Serenity’ is a case in point. One can actually hear flowing water and the rustling leaves play music in the work titled ‘Flow’.

Having largely worked with oils on canvas, Richa’s dry pastel pieces are equally appreciable as in the case of works titled ‘Glimpse’ and ‘Pose’. Her understanding of chiaroscuro and apt application of relevant hues, especially in the case of human figures, elevates the quality of each works. ‘Blooming’ stands out of the lot.

A subtle uniqueness in the compositions infuses a quality of attraction. A canoe moving out of the frame, portrait cropped at the odd place, a goat rushing in the frame and such seemingly insignificant oddities disturb the status quo and hold the viewers’ attention.

‘A Performer’ in red attire, enveloped by the misty surroundings, remains the center of focus along with the title painting ‘Resonating Hymns’.

 ‘When the universal power and individual energy work in tandem,’ explains Richa, ‘a resonating hymn is generated.’ Richa’s logic can be stretched to any aspect in life and spells of subtle spiritual reasoning.

Being a trained vocal artiste, Richa incorporates her musical understanding into her paintings.

She has participated various exhibitions such as woman’s Art Foundation (2010), International Artist’s Exhibition – Jakarta (2011) and Bombay Art Society (2012) along with holding solo exhibitions of her paintings at Shahu Smarak Bhavan, Kolhapur (2011) and Kala Academy, Goa (2012). She has given live demonstrations in painting at Shantiniketan, Kolhapur, at Rangabahar, Town Hall, Kolhapur and Goa.

Inspired by old masters and impressionists, Richa intends to work intensely and make a mark. She has been selected to work under Andrea Schindler and will visit noted artist, Richard Schmid in Boston, USA in a couple of months from now.

The current show will be on view till December 24.