CHENNAI: It was the love for architecture that led Delhi-based Krishnendu Porel to explore the similarities between two ancient cities- Varanasi and Venice. Porel’s exhibition of paintings ‘Tale of Two Cities’ is his first solo show in Chennai. Talking about the places that served as a muse for his latest show, Porel says that the paintings reflect the cities through the eyes of an artist. “I have lived for a few years in Varanasi and visited Venice. I realised there were lot of similarities when it comes to the water, and the magical charm that both cities exude,” he says.
With the Gothic style of architecture that has its ubiquitous presence in the Italian city, Porel’s paintings analyse the different facets of the style of architecture. On the other hand, the holy city of Varanasi is a vast landscape, spreading across in a semi-circular fashion with a maze of alleyways and streets.
Porel, who is an alumnus of the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Kolkata and Benaras Hindu University, has been working on architecture series for a few years now. His latest series are in acrylic and oil on canvas. Porel, who has held his shows in India, Singapore and Germany, says that he plans to continue the architecture series. A strong admirer of Pablo Picasso’s works, Porel adheres to photographic realism that serves as a metaphor in all his works.
At Prakrit Art Gallery, #73/102 Greenways Road Extn. RA Puram