BENGALURU: Bringing together three south Indian artists, Art Houz presents ‘Gestural Interactions’, a show that embraces the abstract art, with each work having a different story to tell. It features, Pooja SI, Ramu Maredu and Shirish Deshpande, who use bold strokes and gestures to represent their feelings and state of mind while painting. The show is being held in the Art Houz, Vasanthnagar until May 10.
The Kaleidoscope
Artist Pooja SI, 25, says that she likes to experiment with different styles and techniques, the result of which is a series of paintings titled’ Living in a Kaleidoscope’, ‘Abstraction in Kaleidoscope’, ‘Dimensions of Kaleidoscope’, ‘Fantasies of Kaleidoscope’. She says that the visual forms that create beautiful patterns and colours in the Kaleidoscope inspired her to replicate those patterns in an abstract form. Talking about her paintings in the ‘Living in the Kaleidoscope’ collection, she says “When I say living in the kaleidoscope I mean that I am a part of it I enjoy looking into it while at the same time I see myself in those patterns and colors.” For this series Pooja has used acrylic paints on canvas, but says that likes to experiment with different techniques and mediums like dry pastels, water colors and mount board.
Family Life
Ramu Maredu, 29 says that he usually draws inspiration from his family and everyday instances. “I come from a slightly financially backward family and had to face many hardships in life, hence I draw inspiration from these instances and when I feel something strongly, I let those emotions out through paint.” Talking about two of his paintings ‘Reflection of Vast expanses’ and ‘Metaphorical Hues’ he says both these works express his feelings and state of mind while painting, since there are no boundaries or limitations in abstract art, he uses strong texture and linear details. The technique used is Knife work with acrylic paint. Ramu says he prefers to stick to the knife technique while often changes the medium to oil pastels.
Inner Inspiration
Shirish Deshpande, 58, originally from Belagavi says that to cure his severe backache caused by standing for long hours while making his BallPoint pen drawings, he enrolled himself in a healing process that involves Yoga and meditation. Through this he started having some visualizations filled with vibrant energy and doesn’t feel the need to look outside for inspiration. All his recent paintings including ‘Grey Matter’ and ‘Escape Urbano’ he says comes naturally to him. “I do not plan or draw anything to begin with, when I start anything, I am just a third person watching it happen,” he says. There are various pictorial elements displayed in his work with strong energetic strokes, circular textures, line, dots and drips. Shirish says his favourite technique is ‘sponge roller’ and uses this method for most of his works. He says he likes to stick to acrylic paint and usually doesn’t feel the need to experiment with other mediums.