OPUS TINTA

OM

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.