Celebrating Nature, artist Abhishek Singh held a week-long live painting session in Delhi. Incorporating environment in all its hues, the works were showcased at Ojas Art Gallery, Mehrauli, till July 20. Aptly titled ‘Vrikshadootam: A Message from the Trees’, the exhibition entailed a mural-sized canvas with the central theme depicting the stories of the eco-system and the absolute need to protect, nurture and preserve the same. It also focused on the immediate need and the importance of man and nature to coexist peacefully. The New York-based artist, who also happens to be a professional story-teller and graphic novelist, speaks to Medha Dutta about telling stories of the rivers and mountains through his live painting series.
You are known to travel a lot. Recently you were in Varanasi with a six-day exhibition that was taken along the sacred ghats.
The Varanasi experience was completely surreal. To hold an exhibition at such a large scale and that too by the holy waters of the Ganga was a truly elevating and mesmerising experience.
What do you expect to achieve through your
Delhi project?
Trees are our nourishers. They give life and through this project I want people to connect with this concept and perceive trees as divine beings. My aim is to help mankind appreciate and protect their ecology and environment for where we will be without nature.
Should art speak upon the environment and other burning issues?
Absolutely. Art is a medium that makes people feel and remote, and as artists, it is our responsibility at some level to shed light on the current issues faced by society—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Art has the potential to unify people and we must make a conscious effort to fully achieve that.
Your work reveals your complete commitment to art. Did you always want to be an artist?
Drawing has always been my way to express my thoughts and channel my experiences. Hence, it’s natural that I felt that this is my true calling.
What is your earliest memory connected with art?
To be really honest, I don’t remember any particular moment in time as such. All I know is that art has been ever-present in my life.
Is the layman in India inspired by art?
Of course. What we need to understand is that art is transcendental—it is always breaching borders and surpassing limits. Art is always present in some or the other form around us and I strongly believe that the layman in India is definitely inspired by its various forms, for the simple reason that it affects people beyond barriers of language or region.
After this stupendous project, what is next?
Right now my aim is to take ‘Vrikshadootam’ to different cities and reach as many people as possible to carry forward my message of sensitising people about the ecosystem.
Short Takes
Favourite colour Black
Favourite place in India The Himalayas
Favourite city in the world All cities have their own character
Art to you is... Essential