HYDERABAD: Art camps are usually held by top art galleries and it is interesting to see star luxury hotels doing their bit for it. ITC group of hotels is doing that. For the past three decades the house is promoting art and that’s how ITC Kakatiya invited nine artists from different parts of the country for an art camp held for five days. The artworks produced during the residency camp were put on display at the hotel’s premises. The exhibition was also a part of the pre-opening activity of ITC Kohinoor in the city early next year.
Set in the open poolside area Alfresco, the paintings appeared surreal with pitchers of wine flowing while live music floated. At the same time a different kind of unison floated amidst the paintings that bound the different canvases together. Many of the works on display were abstract. One opus by artist Srikant Dhunde comprised identical canvases. Earthen shades dominated the work frame.
Clay-yellow blended well with ochre and scarlet if not overpowered by the latter. The result was a smooth finesse that flew through the brush strokes. What made the work noticeable was the use of a couplet written in Devanagari. The twin lines read as: mujhe dekh kar na dekh kisi ko/merey wastey mitaa de khudi ko which roughly translate as: ‘don’t see anyone else after seeing me/erase yourself for me.’ Talking about the work artist who studied Arts from JJ School of Arts said, “Hints of Sufism come to some of my works and I inculcate the same in some of the painting frame.”
Equally interesting were works by Gurram Mallesham. Those were blue diamonds that appeared to hold effulgence in the corner of the precious stone. And it was perfectly in sync with the upcoming Kohinoor hotel. Other artworks, too, oozed lyricism of their own. At the same time what made the art show stand out was the inclusion of a special Sunday brunch curated by chef Vishal Baliga. The food was a melange of barbecued items, a few Thai dishes, South Indian counters and a dessert studio arranged underneath a floral tree.