When Padma Shri artist Hemi Bawa read the following lines—‘I am only interested in the future because that is where I am going to spend the rest of my life’, her spirits suddenly seemed inspired. Past traditions and heritage seem to have little meaning in her routine and work life now, as she only follows her heart.
Upbeat about her latest show at Artspeaks India, Bawa says the collection is inspired from living in the present. “It is a celebration of colours and form. In fact, there is a graphic quality evident in the paintings which is quite unusual and very appealing. There is a two-dimensionality in the surface treatment, while the bold assertive strokes brighten up canvas. The paintings do not necessarily have a figurative, representational quality, or a visible Indian thematic aspect to them, perhaps the reason why they don’t fall into the genre of being ‘Indian’,” she says.
Comprising 30 works that includes cast glass, paintings and sculptures, the show is a collateral event of India Art Fair 2012. A special feature of the exhibition is the glasswork casting as that is rarely seen or practised. “I have exploited the flexible nature of the glass as you can twist, fuse and slump it,” says Bawa.
Bawa’s struggles as an artist have also been as unusual as her work. “At home I had to camouflage my ambition as I was often discouraged to follow this profession.” But after she carved a niche for herself, everyone took notice. Winning the Padma Shri made all heads turn and got her validation for her efforts. “My entire family stood in attendance and I couldn’t have been happier,” she says, inviting all to experience a little bit of her journey through her exhibition slated from January 20 to 28 at The Atrium, DLF Emporio, Vasant Kunj.