Friday

"Enchanted Realms Emerging from Mystical Layers" Art of Ram Dongre, Text By Tushar Waghela

"Enchanted Realms Emerging from Mystical Layers" 

Art of Ram Dongre

 Text By Tushar Waghela








 

Saturday

Charanjeet Singh's Art - A Personal Documentation of Memory and Past - Text By Tushar Waghela

 

Charanjeet Singh's Art - A Personal Documentation of Memory and Past

Text By Tushar Waghela









Charanjeet's canvas serves as a chronicle, documenting the incidents, experiences, and memories woven into the fabric of his entire life. It encapsulates the various places he has called home and the diverse individuals who have crossed his path. The ebb and flow of life provide the very foundation upon which his artistic creations unfold. The narratives within his paintings elegantly unfold as an extension, a vivid expansion of the tapestry of his own memories.

Singh meticulously layers multiple strokes of subtle colours on his canvas using various hues and acrylic paint. Each layer serves as a recollection of a memory or an experience from his past. Subsequently, these layers are covered with a transcendent white acrylic paint, creating a unique, enchanting, and unprecedented surface. This notable technique, involving the use of multiple layers on canvas, creates a textured surface covered with a transcendent white acrylic paint. This technique adds depth and intricacy to his artwork, inviting viewers to explore various layers to discern the meanings concealed within. Spectators connect directly with his work, embarking on a distinct journey within themselves, guided by their own memories. His paintings invite viewers to immerse themselves in a voyage of emotions and recollections, making this aspect a vital dimension of Charanjeet Singh's artistic expression.

Charanjeet Singh weaves the beauty of Hindi poetry into his visual narratives. Drawing inspiration from renowned poets like Nagarjun, Vishnu Nagar, Ravindranath Tagore , and Muktibodh, he skilfully incorporates a poetic layer into his artwork, establishing a harmonious fusion of visual and literary art.

In his artwork, realistic depictions of intriguing objects, animals, and birds carry their own narrative significance. They function as powerful symbols working within the framework of his comprehensive poetic and interesting contribution to nature. Carefully selecting each animal and object while intertwining narrative and symbolism in the story, these objects function as symbols, guiding viewers to interpret the stories told by the paintings and encouraging them to connect. Recently, he has also incorporated Mughal miniatures and architecture into his works, introducing an element of curiosity to his scenes.

Charanjeet Singh is a master of visual poetics, using his canvas as a medium to narrate stories that transcend the limits of language. The interaction between images, text, and symbolism forms a poetic language that speaks directly to the soul of the observer.

He can be classified within the realm of contemporary expressionism, where emotion and personal narrative take precedence over verbal representation. His paintings function as powerful expressions of personal exploration and cultural inquiry, highlighting the potency of individual experiences and observations.

Charanjeet encourages audiences to actively engage with his art. Through the use of symbolism, text, objects, and symbolism, combined with the layering of meaning, he inspires viewers to unveil the hidden stories within each painting, creating a genuinely interactive and immersive experience.

In conclusion, Charanjeet Singh's art stands as a testament to the power of personal experiences and reflections. His multifaceted artworks, rooted in memories and emotions, serve as representations of the human psyche. Through a blend of objects, animals, and Hindi poetry, Singh invites viewers on a journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration. His art celebrates the beauty inherent in everyday life, reminding us of the exquisite splendour present in our daily existence.

Art of Somu Desai - 'Signature of Time and Consumerism', Text By Tushar Waghela

 

Art of Somu Desai
'Signature of Time and Consumerism'
Text By Tushar Waghela

In the quaint town of Killa Pardi in Gujarat's Valsad district, nestled within the tranquillity of his luxurious farmhouse-turned-studio ( The NAC Studio), 54-year-old artist Somu Desai weaves magic on canvas. Surrounded by the salty breezes of the Arabian Sea on one side, mango orchards on the other, and the harsh realities of industrialization spewing toxic fumes in Valsad district, industrial sector. Desai draws deep inspiration from his environment. His experience, from this town to metropolitan cities, is vividly reflected in his artworks.



Desai's artworks are exceptional creations that intricately unravel stories of imperishability on the surfaces of iron. Portraying a timeless ambiance, his compositions capture the essence of destiny, intertwining with the effects of corrosion on iron due to salt-laden sea breeze or the corrosive impact of polluted air and rain on iron, much like a gleaming advertisement on an iron hoarding affected by the ravages of pollution and weather.

Each piece encapsulates imprints of time - objects that once glittered are now marked by corrosion - serving as a contemplative testament to the inevitable cycles of decay and aging. It becomes a testamentary will for the inevitable cycles of decay and aging that bind us all.

 

The allure of Somu's art lies not only in its ability to provoke questions but also in its profound exploration of the subtle nuances of consumerism. Beyond the expansive canvas, these artworks bear witness to the enduring effects of industrial campaigns, revealing the intricate maneuvering of consumerism on our perceptions.

 

Somu Desai's art goes beyond traditional brushstrokes; in Somu Desai words “ I don’t paint but I treat canvass and papers that  transfer’s surface visuals to some thing which is not”.  it is a remarkable journey within the ordinary. Stripping away the layers of daily routines, it reveals how consumerism shapes our realities, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary. Viewers are invited to contemplate the hidden stories and emotions within each amorphous creation, serving as an invitation to reflect on the deep layers of meaning behind every stroke and colour.

 

Somu's canvases are embellished with symbols ranging from luxurious products logos to ads from roadside vendors, portraying the nuanced complexities of consumerism. Acting as a reflective surface, Desai's art reveals the societal consequences of persistent commercial campaigns. The temporal imprints on his canvases serve as a testament to evolving social dynamics, underscoring the significant impact of consumerism on our perceptions of reality.

 

As the tales unfold on canvas, spectators transform into active participants, delving into the concealed narratives within the layers. Art evolves into a shared experience, surpassing conventional boundaries between artists and viewers, fostering self-reflection, and presenting a fresh outlook on the impact of consumerism in our daily existence.

 

 

Somu Desai's artistic odyssey goes beyond being a mere chronicle of time and consumerism; it is a narrative infused with artistic elements. Employing acrylic colours, industrial pigments, dye, and specialized rollers, Desai introduces multiple dimensions into his artworks. Moreover, he strategically incorporates carefully chosen papers onto the canvas, creating specific textures that enrich the depth and intricacy of his creations.

His paintings not only embody the imprints of time and the subtle intricacies of consumerism but also showcase the artistic simplicity that defines Somu Desai's unique and profound expression. Through this artistic exploration, Desai captures evolving stories, giving birth to a unique dialogue resonating with each viewer, establishing a deep connection through his outstanding and multifaceted creations.

 

Monday

A disturbing tale of urbanization: The Paintings of Ashish Kushwaha

 

A disturbing tale of urbanization: The Paintings of Ashish Kushwaha


            We can simply call Ashish Kushwaha’s painting a Death Song. Kushwaha, a luminary at 36, hails from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, and has emerged as a distinctive voice in contemporary art. Trained at the Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya in Khairagarh, his paintings transcend the mere aesthetic and delve into profound reflections on urbanization, environmental degradation, and the intricate relationship between man and nature.

        In Kushwaha's watercolor masterpieces, the fragility and beauty of the natural world unfold amidst the concrete jungles of modernity. The juxtaposition of incomplete construction sites with contemplative depictions of Indian wildlife creates a hauntingly poetic narrative, where animals seem to mourn the encroachment of their habitats by the relentless march of urbanization.

    His works serve as a poignant commentary on global warming, social disparities, and the unrestrained expansion of cities. Kushwaha's choice to abstain from crude depictions adds sophistication, inviting viewers to engage with the artworks on a deeper, more introspective level.

    Beyond the canvas, Kushwaha weaves a tale of unequal societal development resulting from uneven technological growth—a historical notion reverberating through his creations. Through the nuanced interplay of colour, form, and textures, Kushwaha prompts contemplation on the interconnectedness of humanity with the natural world.

    Now residing in Delhi, Kushwaha's personal experiences as a rural migrant and city dweller profoundly influence his art. The paintings serve as projections of a not-so-distant future marked by rural exodus, rapid urbanization, and the ensuing chaos and displacement of life.

    In the ethereal watercolour technique characteristic of Kushwaha's paintings, we find a testament to his ability to articulate complex narratives through visual imagery. The delicate strokes and vivid colours invite viewers to reflect on the consequences of human actions on the environment, prompting a dialogue on the urgent need for sustainable coexistence.

    As we immerse ourselves in Kushwaha's art, we witness not only the lament of displaced wildlife but also confront our collective responsibility toward preserving the delicate balance between nature and civilization. The artist's brush, guided by personal experiences and a keen sense of societal discourse, paints a tapestry that transcends the boundaries of mere observation.

    The canvas becomes a stage where urban desolation and the poetic resilience of nature engage in a timeless dialogue. Kushwaha's work becomes a call to action, urging us to consider the repercussions of our actions on the environment and to re-evaluate our role in the delicate ecosystem.

    His paintings resonate with the echoes of incomplete construction sites and the distorted shapes of animals, creating a symphony that not only visualizes a potential apocalypse but also echoes the cries of the future. In his paintings, the concrete jungles that emerge in cities and the deep, melancholic evenings behind urban chaos are reminiscent of the poignant poetry by Muktibodh.

    In conclusion, Ashish Kushwaha's artistic composition unfolds like a symphony, intertwining both a melancholic ballad and a vibrant ode, resonating with themes of urban desolation and the enduring spirit of nature. His paintings not only invite viewers to admire the aesthetic beauty but also encourage reflection on the profound messages they carry—a call for introspection and an earnest plea for a harmonious coexistence with the world that surrounds us.