APPASAHEB GANIGER

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Appasaheb Ganiger

NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

Appasaheb Ganiger from Bengaluru, Karnataka is having his second solo show at the Art Gallery of Kala Academy – Goa. Organized with the support of Kannada & Culture Department from Bengaluru, the gallery is filled with large sized realistic paintings depicting the heritage structures and local life of Karnataka.

All twenty works are overwhelming with details at several places drawing ones attention. Currently engaged in capturing the architectural wealth and socio-cultural aspects of Karnataka, Apaasaheb has produced several works that gives an overview of the state. His understanding of human figure and the ability to capture its nuance is appreciable. ‘Water Carrier Boy’, executed in watercolours, is a case in point. Or for that matter, the work titled ‘Ox Cart’ displays his capability to paint animal forms from a difficult angle. These works exhibit his sensitivity towards the local rural society and their way of life.

‘Vittal Temple – Hampi’ is given a lively feel by incorporating human figures against the aesthetically vibrant yet mute stone structure. Appasaheb’s passion is palpable. Six of his paintings are large and executed in acrylics on canvas. Not restricting to any single medium, he is bold enough to experiment with different pigments and surface as well.

‘Mantapa Hampi’ is another commendable work that is an example in structured composition and apt application of colours. Each of his paintings ask for a dialogue and engage the viewers.

Currently teaching art at the Government Junior College, Nelamangala, Bengaluru, Appasaheb did his Art Master before completing his post graduation from the Mysore University. He has received several awards that include an honorary award as the best artist from the Karnataka Lalit Kala Academi, Bengaluru. Besides this, he has been a part of over fifteen group shows that were organized in Cochin, Kerala; Belgaum, Karnataka; New Delhi and other places.

He had a solo show at the famed Karnataka Chitrakal Parishath, Bengaluru. He has participated in various Art Camps and his works are in private and institutional collection such as Kannada and Culture, Bengaluru; Government Museum, Gadag; Karnataka Lalit Kala Academi, Bengaluru and others.

The show will be on till May 9, 2017.       

SANJAYKUMAR HULLENNAVAR

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NAGUESH RAO SARDESSAI

Sanjaykumar Hullennavar, a young and talented artist from Raibag, Belagavi, Karnataka, showed his watercolour landscapes at the Art Gallery of Kala Academy – Goa. This show was organized under grant – aid of Kannada & Culture Department, Bengaluru.

Sanjaykumar is postgraduate in fine arts and currently pursuing his interest in landscapes and creative art. Passionate about watercolours as a medium, he moves about in the state, identifying and capturing various admirable spots and heritage structures through brush and paint.

Each of the twenty two works on display brings to life the original place it represents. Bold and confident with his skills and handling of this difficult medium, Sanjaykumar does large works that are qualitatively excellent and aesthetically pleasing. Having the drive to upgrade his skills, Sanjaykumar has been experimental at places. Attempting minimalist approach at certain places along with limited palette and unconventional compositions, he displays his maturity.

Some of his appealing works, that have wonderfully captured the heritage structures from Karnataka, are ‘Virupaksha Temple, Hampi’; Anjanadev Temple, Hampi’; Shahumaharaj Palace, Raibag’ and Mahadev Temple, Raibag’. Besides this, he has painted the local spots such as ‘Kudachi Railway Station’ and landscapes.

Anjanadev Temple atop a rocky hill has been captured from an angle that brings out divinity to the structure. ‘Vijaya Vittala Temple’ is infused with grandeur by way of unique composition. Whereas, it can be easily deduced, looking at four compositions in a line of a single subject that,  Sanjaykumar is enamored by the royal appeal of Shahumaharaj’s summer Palace at Raibag.

Each of the painting of this palace reveals a unique angle and narrates a different story.

Sanjaykumar has attended numerous art camps that includes ‘National Art Camp’ at Imphal , Manipur; ‘Sparsha 2 Art Camp’ at Dandeli, Karnataka and others. He has had solo shows in Bengaluru, Kolhapur and other areas. Besides this he has participated in numerous national and international group shows that include Colombo, Cochin, Chennai and other places.

 Sanjaykumar has received numerous awards and held demonstrations of his skills. His works are in collection in India and abroad.

The show was on till May 5, 2017.

YOGESH PRABHUGAONKAR

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NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

‘Portraits’, an exhibition of pen and ink portraits executed by architect Yogesh Prabhugaonkar was on view at the Black Box of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.

Over two thousand portraits of personalities ranging from nationally acclaimed figures to famous Goan individuals to his friends will be on display. In spite of being a busy and successful architect with noted projects to credit, Yogesh takes time off to pursue his childhood passion – painting.

Encouraged by his educationist father – Fati Phabhugaonkar – he focused on being an artist or an architect from a very early age. Earning a degree from the Goa College of Architecture, Yogesh initially worked with well known Ponda based architect K D Sadhale where he got his basics in practical implementation of technical rules.

Soon after that, in the year 1997, Yogesh branched out on his own and set up his private practice which drew attention and earned him commercial success. ‘Shree Laxmi Temple’ at Sanvorcotto, Cuncolim; ‘Parashuram-Narsimha Temple’ in Poinguinim, Canacona; besides such other temples have been successfully reconstructed and restored by Yogesh. 

He was commissioned by Dr. Ravi Prabhu, the current Deputy Director General – Research, World Agroforestry Centre ( ICRAF), Kenya, to construct his environmental friendly house in Canacona that functions on natural energy.

Two decades into this business, his original craving to practice fine art came to fore. Basics of art, instilled by his school drawing teacher, Balkrishna Ayya, who was an accomplished artist and sculptor, got the best out of him. Beginning to sketch portraits of his friends at the onset of 2016, Yogesh went on to produce a portrait a day of personalities that ranged from actors to politicians to sportspersons.

The show will showcase portraits of Swami vivekanand, Bakibab Borkar, Ram manohar Lohia, Amitabh Bhachan and Sachin Tendulkar to name a few.

Goan sportswoman and young International Badminton star Anura Santosh Prabhudessai will be exhibited as an inspiration for young aspiring sportspersons. Goan political personalities that have not left the attention of Yogesh are Rohan Khavnte, Narendra Sawaikar and Vijay Sardessai. ‘I’m largely indebted to Sudin and Deepak Dhavlikar in many ways for being supportive of my endeavour and as such their portrait is my way of expressing gratitude,’ says Yogesh.

Having received commendations and words of praises from famous artistes, such as Subodh Bhave, Rahul Deshpande. Nana Patekar and Ajit Kadkade, Yogesh has realised the reach of his art. He has many years to go and we are sure to see him achieve greater heights.

The show was on view at the Black Box of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on April 22, 2017

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ART DE GOA

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NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

The 'Art De Goa', an exhibition of paintings and sculptures, that will be shown at the Art Gallery of Goa Kala Academy, is organised by Tinky George for 'Smart Goa Media' 

Tinky, a professional designer, is now passionately involved in promoting art and films. Having worked for various publications through these years, Tinky moved on and partnered with his friend to produces films and organize film festivals.

With his very own company named ‘Smart Goa Media’, he wants to spread his wings and promote visual art in a big way. This being his first major event, Tinky expresses hope of involving more Goan as well as Indian artists in the near future with an aim to collectively raise the standard of art promotion in Goa. ‘Goa is rich with artists of various genre and it’s time we promote Goan art in a systematic way to the wider audience,’ says Tinky.     

This show has three artists from Maharashtra namely Anuj Bandekar, Rajesh Ajgaonkar and Dinesh Mestry. Goa is represented by Antoneta Natty, Saumitra Bakhale, Gauri Keni, Kalidas Satardekar, Rupali Phaldesai, Taraka Angle, Padmaja Kurade, Nilesh Ajgaonkar and Savani Naik and they have put up their best creation for the viewers to enjoy.  

Dinesh from Sangli, Maharashtra, presently engaged as an assistant teacher, is involved in capturing nature and human emotions. A trained artist, Dinesh loves to work in realistic genre.

Having earned his master’s from the prestigious Sir. J. J. School of Art, Mumbai, Rajesh began to work, as an assistant teacher, at Nutan Madhymik Vidyalay in Insuli in Maharashtra. His watercolour landscapes are an example in amazing maturity. The displayed works bring out the depth of understanding and refinement of skill inherent in Rajesh.

For Anuj from Sawantwadi, who’s working for a publishing company in Goa, painting, rangoli, thermocol carving and photography is a passion that he has been involved in. Here, he has put on display, small bottles decorated with unique and shape specific design. These can be valuable items included whilst decorating ones personal space.    

Taraka, basically an architect, just loves to express herself through tile and glass mosaic. Indulging in these medium, she, being an interior designer by profession, seem to focus on creating a pleasant atmosphere and bring joy to the viewers. Nature seems to get a fresh identity in her works.

Saumitra is also an engineer by training whose passion for art has led him to pursue painting and create some stunning works. His works are heavy with texture and bold in execution. Each piece is visually vibrant and engaging. They seem to have been produced by a professional.

Gauri’s minimalist works with simplified imagery and uncluttered compositions are interior designers delight. An electrical engineer with a master’s degree to her credit, Gauri is passionately pursuing her childhood interest with added zeal.

Kalidas is quite a known face in Goa and his watercolours are as good as that of a thorough professional. An art teacher by the day, Kalidas zealously pursues his love for this difficult medium by constantly experimenting and practicing as and when time permits. Having participated and won several awards, he strives to go beyond his level. His paintings are qualitatively refined and aesthetically pleasing.

Rupali’s decorative compositions draw attention. Human figures and floral images intermingle and bring out the essence of peaceful coexistence. Stylistically leaning towards folk and rural imagery, the overall impact is pleasant.

Chartered Accountant, Savani is also involved in depicting nature and birds. One of her work captures the sunlight through the hoard of trees deserves attention. She shows a lot of promise and her understanding of the medium commendable. 

Antoneta’s images are simple and straightforward. Human face and eyes play a major role. Her understanding of the mind and impact of religiously inclined forms is complete.

Padmaja is passionate about embossing and painting. Having pursued it with all seriousness, she has reached a level of perfection that is reflected in her works depicting Goddess Mahalsa and Shri Krishna. Both these works display a level of maturity that deserves acknowledgement.

Nilesh’s command over charcoal as a medium is noteworthy. His works reflect cinematic approach of the bygone black & white era. The mood Nilesh creates with apt application of black against white of the paper and overall tight composition forcefully engages the viewer’s attention. These pieces of art deserve better walls.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Minister for Art & Culture, Goa, Govind Gaude on April 14, 2017. And the show was on till April 16, 2017. 

CHAITALI's ART CLASSES

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NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

‘Self’, an exhibition of art works created by the students of noted Goan artist, Chaitali Morajkar, will be held at the Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji. Having truly understood the meaning of being a teacher, Chaitali has aptly selected this subject for exploration. A teacher is largely supposed to tap the inner self of an individual student and bring forth that realization and develop confidence.

Chaitali, through this show, intends to give them the necessary push. Having started art classes for young as well as senior art enthusiasts under the banner - ‘Paint Club Goa’ - a few years back, she has been receiving overwhelming response from people in and around Mapusa, Goa.

Being a successful contemporary artist, Chaitali offers the students a modern approach to art and innovate various means to inculcate and instigate their creative self. Besides guiding the students in honing their skill, she gives specific exercises to pushes their imagination and develop these ideas into a work of art.

Not confining to just paper and paint, Chaitali has exposed the students to various media and isms in art. Besides conventional painting, the students try their hand at clay modeling, collage, portraits etc. ‘I identify the strength of individual student and then guide them in that direction without disturbing their innate qualities as an artist,’ says Chaitali.

Shlok from St. Brito’s High School, Mapusa has transformed an exercise in object drawing into a creative piece. Drawing of a large spectacle against typical Goan scenery speaks volumes about his concept. Student of Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mehal Parab’s fascination for fashion designing made her paint a picture with the entire fashion ensemble neatly arranged. Mehal has an eye for details and the work exhibit that quality.

Savi Dhond’s interest in badminton, as a sport, led her to create a piece that finds Indian professional badminton player and first Indian woman Olympic silver medalist P V Sindhu juxtaposed with her portrait. Meticulously painted web of square grid seamlessly merging the two portraits into a single entity is appreciable.     

Ojas Parab’s Futuristic work created around his favourite bike is interesting. Multiple forms of bike and the rider in animated positions, stretching across the frame adds to the curiosity.               

Arush Zarapkar’s optical illusion show is fascination for architectural drawings and precise lines and forms. Yuvraj Singh Rane and Manay Sonar’s works show their interest in football and batman respectively.

Kshitij and Aditya’s creative play with their names give an idea of the level of maturity school students have achieved.   

All of these young artists enjoy their lessons in art with Chaitali and feel inspired to take up art as a career option. ‘It is here that we are encouraged to develop our creativity, explore new ideas and learn new techniques,’ says all of them in unison.

The show was inaugurated at the hands of Prasad Lolayekar, Director of Art & Culture, Goa on April 7 and the paintings were on view till April 9, 2017.

BEYOND THREAD

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NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI 

 
“You can sew your own curtain to remain hidden from the dark side of the world,” thus said well-known poet, Munia Khan. Liesl Cotta De Souza, noted senior artist, does exactly that, albeit with a twist through her unique art works. Here, she brings forth, to the viewers, the bright side of life, especially in the life of women.
 ‘Beyond Thread’, an exhibition of her recent works, showing at the Art Gallery in the Maquinez Palace, Panaji gives a gist of her philosophy of life as an artist. Liesl, using simple thread and fabric, produces works that pushes the viewers’ imagination and entices them into visual engagement. Feminine subjects and nature collectively populate her creative brain and flow through her, only to speak via systematically guided thread and orchestrated fabric pieces.
‘I just flow like the river carrying and depositing nuances as I move on whilst executing my art works,’ says Liesl. ‘At Leisure’ and ‘Across The Sands’ are examples in Liesl’s creative maturity. Using the visual texture on the printed fabric, she weaves a story against the background, smartly manipulating the thread to bid her saying. 
‘My paintings are executed in a medium that's unique and yet has been a preoccupation for women through the ages,’ states Liesl. Liesl has elevated a simple women centric craft to realm of fine art. She explores the use of thread and appliqué on printed fabrics, beyond craft, by bringing it into contemporary idiom. 

‘The use of printed fabrics as a base or rather a background for my work was spurred from seeing women wear clothes with varied prints which highlighted and unleashed various aspects of the character,’ explains Liesl about her work. 
Natural elements like wind, water etc. add to the movements in the design on clothes people wear feels Liesl, and this fascinates her as an artist. She works on various levels. Usually, using design as a part of the subject, whereas at times she weaves a story around a design and sometimes the readymade print speaks by itself with minor intervention.
‘I do not find it necessary to interpret my works because I attempt to present the visual delights of life through the feminine form. The underlying layers of thread and fabric express my interpretation of the mundane world and the urban attitude we put up with,’ say Liesl before adding, ‘I have been trying to talk about the domestic chores and other issues through my works.’
 
Liesl enjoys the process of creation and releases the completed piece for general interpretation, unperturbed by any type of reactions. 
‘Frolicking Damsel’, ‘Into The Skies’ and ‘Reaching For The Moon’ are some of the most scintillating works where Liesl’s skill, eye for details and creativity is amply displayed.
 Her creations are no less paintings. They are paintings executed in thread and fabric. 

The show was on view till April 5, 2017.
 

VASUDEO KAMATH's DEMO at IMB

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NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

Raghuvir Shankar Mulgaonkar, a towering figure in the field of art, and son of the soil, is largely lost in the history and little known in his own land of birth, except amongst artists fraternity, due to lack of adequate documentation and dissemination of information. 

Institute Menezes Braganza (IMB) took up the task of spreading awareness about such stalwarts. 2016 saw IMB successfully organize a lecture series cum painting exhibition, in collaboration with Goa College of Art and All Goa Art Masters Association, as a tribute to late Dinanath Dalal in his birth centenary year.

This year, IMB decided to offer its tribute to Raghuvir Mulgaonkar by organizing an exhibition of prints of his paintings along with a series of demonstrations of portraits by celebrated portrait artist from Mumbai, Vasudev Kamath.

This was a fitting tribute to Mulgaonkar as Vasudev is internationally respected for his skill and creativity, which Mulgaonkar was famous for. Born in Karkala in Karnataka, Kamath grew up in Mumbai and showed interest in art at a very early age. Having art run in the family with his mother’s maternal uncle,noted master sculptor Ranjala Gopal Shenoy, as his source of inspiration, Kamath earned his diploma in art from the prestigious Sir J.J. School of Art with first class.

Since then, he has been involved in producing paintings that touch various genres. Largely known as a portrait painter, Kamath’s creative and contemporary art pieces are not just visually stunning but philosophically loaded as well. He is not just proficient with oils and watercolours, but has the capacity to handle every medium at his disposal and paints, besides portraits, subjective works, landscapes, conceptual pieces etc.

Kamath painted such towering personalities and dignitaries such as former President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Shiv Sena Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray, Governor of UP Ram Naik, ex CM of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh and many others. He was invited to paint the portrait of His Excellency Pranab Mukherjee.    

 He is honoured with various awards and citations but the most prominent being ‘Draper Grand Award’, in portraits bestowed on him by the Portrait Society of America, in 2006, for his portrait titled ‘My Wife’. He has done a series of paintings on illustrious life of Bhagwan Swaminarayana and over hundred paintings on the life of Lord Buddha that can be seen at Global Pagoda in Mumbai. He is the patron and all India President of Sanskaar Bharati and President of Art Society of India and prestigious Bombay Art Society.

At the Portrait Painting Demonstration program at the IMB, he displayed his skill and expertise to the large gathering. Kamath interacted with each of these art enthusiasts and enlightened them about the subject.

Kamath executed portraits of three celebrities. Celebrated artist Padmashree Laxman Pai, respected teacher, writer and Gomant Sharada Puraskar awardee Dr. Aroon Heblekar and noted vocal artist Dinkar Panshikar were brought to life on canvas during the three day event.

Laxman Pai’s portrait was completed in flat seventeen minutes. Kamath had a presentation of his works produced over several years through his career and delivered a lecture with an aim to educate and motivate the gathered art enthusiasts.

Padmashree Laxman Pai was felicitated at the hands of Kamath, on being awarded Gomant Vibhushan, Goa’s highest honour, in the presence of Chairman of IMB, Sanjay Harmalkar; Member Secretary IMB, Gorakh Mandrekar; Principal, Goa College of Art, Mahesh Vengurlekar and Chairperson of AGAMA, Gaurish Vernekar.

Besides this, AGAMA felicitated art teachers, taught in institutes across Goa, on their superannuation from service.

         

OPUS TINTA

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NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

"A drawing is simply a line going for a walk," thus said Paul Klee, the German-Swiss artist. And ‘Opus Tinta’, an exhibition that showcases a rich oeuvre of drawings in ink, on view at the Art Gallery of Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, will expose the viewers to the lines taken for a walk by our very own Goan artists.

Paul Klee might have made it look very mundane and casual, yet line is the most significant element, of all the seven elements of art, in the creation of a work of art. As such, this maidan venture, in the visual art arena, of ‘Opus Gala’ - an initiative in the pursuit of promoting performing and visual arts – deserves applause.

‘Opus Gala’ has organized numerous highly acclaimed classical concerts, master classes and workshops of international repute in Goa. However, it endeavors to host art exhibitions and other activities for visual art, with intent of encouraging and supporting contemporary art in the state of Goa.

This very first attempt in visual art saw over thirty practicing Goan artists participates with best of their creations. Aadhi Vishal, Amrish Parsekar, Chaitali Morajkar, Charudutta Ram Prabhudesai, Deepak Shirodkar, Francis D Souza, Hanuman Kambli, Julio, Kedar Dhondu, Liesl Cotta De Souza, Loretti, Nirupa Naik, Pradeep Naik, Prashant Nageshar, Querozito De Souza, RajanFulari, RajendraUsapkar,  Rajesh Chodankar, Ryan Abreu, Sachin Naik, Santosh Morajkar, Shailesh Dhabolkar, Shilpa Naik, Siddarth Gosavi, Sonia Sabharwal, Suhas Shilker, Swapnesh Vaigankar, Unmesh Velingkar, Vijay Bhandare, Viraj Naik, Vitesh Naik, Walter D Souza and Yolanda Krammemier.

Besides these, Padmashri Laxman Pai’s work will be on display adding a special authenticity to the exhibition.

The main aim of this exhibition is to create and expose the strength of drawing as a primary tradition in the presentation of contemporary issues by artists through their skilled drawings on paper, states the note released by the organizers.  

‘Drawing is putting a line around an idea,’ thus said French artist Henri Matisse. And each of these artists has done right that in their own unique style. Francis’ pen and ink work titled ‘Almost there and other deals with the devil’ attempts to make a political comment short of making a statement. The realistic forms in a very amorphous, surreal environment that borders on being queer and shady together, speaks strongly of the creative maturity of Francis.

Charudutta’s ‘Post prayer dailogue’ seems to be equally political yet defies slotting; however, it is qualitatively similar to the aforementioned.

Nirupa’s ‘Memories’ is dreamy and ideal. It showcases the bygone era that Nirupa has lived and witnessed. The meticulous pen work visual texture is commendable.

Chaitali’s ‘Spot’ has feline subject in various state of rest. Collage of six independent pose of domestic cat articulate the sensitivity of Chaitali towards seemingly prosaic theme. Whereas, Aadhi’s ‘Sun spaces of time’ takes a rare moment from nature – the blooming of ‘Bramhakamal’ that happens once in a year or so – and elevates it to a subject for creating a work of art.

Each of the exhibited artists have added value to the efforts of the organizers. The organizers gave the artists a free hand in employing techniques, styles, topics or surface of. ‘The purpose of the exhibition is to stimulate the development of creativity and innovations and to exceed the ordinary imagination of using drawing on paper, and in this process to promote the exchange of ideas and sharing of original experiments with the viewers at large,’ says the press note.

Directorate of Art & Culture, Government of Goa has supported this initiative. The show was inaugurated by Padmashri Laxman Pai followed by the debut performance of ‘Udenti’ a string quartet from Goa featuring the most talented musicians in Goa.

The exhibition was on view till the March 30, 2017.