SPANDAN 13

NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

‘Spandan 13’, an exhibition of paintings and sculptures, truly defines the nation state called – India. Sixteen artists from various regions of India and assorted educational background have collectively put up about forty creative pieces on display, at their latest show, at the Goa Kala Academy’s Art Gallery.

This show, curated and organized by Dr. Vandy Jais and IEMA (International Eminent & Modern Art Gallery in association with Enhance Group, gives opportunity to self-taught artists and other professionals to exhibit their special skills along with the academically trained and established professional artists.

Dr. Vandy is a doctorate in Fine Arts with works that are nebulous and defies tangible reality. Amorphous and organic forms glide in the picture plain defying the known principles of gravity nor do they remain visually static. Meticulous details pop out and fade in only to reemerge molded in a altered shape. The works are bordering on the surrealistic and abstract genre.

Manishek Gupta with training from an animation institute in Mumbai presents thought provoking works. Working on the religious and spiritual symbols and fusing that with seemingly connected identifiable heritage forms such as antique door, weathered stone steps, alphabets etc he attempts to speak. Lone human figure and assorted forms that stand as metaphors build up a mystery. Manishek instigates and educates, both at the same time.    

With masters in fine arts from Kanpur, Ritu Gupta’s fine detailed paintings that draw on the great Indian spiritual and Tantric wealth stand out of the lot. Each work is embellished with meticulous designs and subtle visual texture. Yantra form is juxtaposed with corresponding religious icon to enhance the conceptual understanding and enhance the pictorial appeal.

Shalini Jha’s photo realistic paintings of the sadhus and other holy men belie the fact that she is self taught artist. Tight compositions precise hues and apt application coupled with masterly brush strokes infuses her works with irresistible appeal.

Swaranjeet Kaur Gill, MFA from Gwalior, does very neat and soft paintings that are almost meditative. Kolkata based self taught S. K. Asif Iqbal paints dreamy works; whereas, Shalini Chandra, armed with a diploma in Multimedia Animation paintings have an animated feel with gliding birds and bright hued flowers against shimmering backdrop.

Bhopal based businessman and art promoter, Ranjit Arora’s prehistoric and tribal influenced simplified forms washed with minimal colours seem to be straight out of antique ‘seals’ and ‘dilapidated inscription’. He paints for pleasure and constructs his own vocabulary with intent to sensitize viewers towards visual art.

Rajasthan based Arun Kumar Sharma received training in art from Anandi Lal Sharma under the age old ‘Guru Shishya Parampar’ and his works are in relief with glossy paint. 

The twin sculptors, Chandra Kishore from Bihar and Chandigarh based Narinderjeet Singh Maloya, presented interesting pieces in wood and stone. The works demand personal audience and individual attention.  

The other artists that have put up their works are Dipayan Ghosh from West Bengal, K Murugesan from Chennai, Neeta Thadeshwar from Mumbai, Nona Khanna from Noida and Raj Pal Dahiya from New Delhi.       

The current show will be on view till October 11.