As the name of the show suggests, it is a combination of works by artists, diverse in their range and ideas. But they come together on one platform to exhibit some of the most novel and creative pieces of art.
Devidas Dharmadhikari, a Pune-based artist, who specialises in contemporary and figurative paintings, believes in the significance of stamps in the life of a human being. A constant element in each of his works, he justifies their importance with a simple logic: why are we running away from a stamp? Every life gets its own stamp from the day it is born, either in the form of a name, class or in the numerous ways that humanity has to categorise people.
Dharmadhikari’s works are connected through an underlying thread of emotions that are consistently reflected in his works. Where a helpless woman stands in total subordination, another work beside it highlights the inner peace one experiences in a tranquil state. Alongside is a painting of the Buddha on a blackened background, outlining the radiance.
Chennai-based Kasa Vinay Kumar dabbles in carbon prints; He is perhaps one of the firsts from the new breed of artists to explore the genre. Combining carbon and pastels, he conjures up landscapes and settings that are dissected in each of their elements.
However, Kumar hasn’t employed carbon impressions for their sheer novelty; he sketches out the intricate details of his works through the carbon imposed works that narrate a story linearly. Constant layering adds a sense of depth, as they veil the obvious from the naked eye, as if in an attempt to challenge the prodding mind of the viewer. Kumar’s works are challenging, unpretentious and intelligent.
Southwest Melange is on at Prakrit Arts, #102, Greenways Road Extn, RA Puram, till February 28