HUNDRED-FOLD CREATIVITY

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Anil Mohanpuriya is an artist who loves to play with tones and textures. His experiments with these elements creates a three dimensional effect that complements the shifting perceptions of his art works. “I like the viewers to see the paintings from his/her perspective and enjoy the different angles, colours and textures in nature”, shares the artist. Talking about his work ‘Buddha Lotus’ on display at the ‘A 100 Many – Splendoured Things’ exhibition at the Samanvai Art Gallery, he says: “The art piece captures the essence of the cycle of life by representing nature and Buddha as a divine feminine figure. I have portrayed the concept of birth and nurturing through the feminine form of nature, who is the ultimate source of life.”

Additionally, the artwork poetically portrays the inevitability of death by showcasing how we return to the very source of life that gave birth to us. The use of colour and texture in the piece adds depth and emotion, evoking a sense of wonder and contemplation in the viewer who perceives the piece according to their perception.

Evolving Art Landscape of Jaipur

Housed in Ganpati Plaza, the Samanvai Art Gallery has organised the first ever curated 100 Artists’ Show in Jaipur. Aptly titled, ‘A 100 Many – Splendoured Things’, it is a show of evocative paintings, sculptures and prints in various mediums from each of the 100 participating artists. The show was inaugurated with 19 February and will be on till 2 April. Curated by Reeta Kuhad, this show is the third in a series of Samanvai’s 100 artists’ shows. The first two shows were held in Delhi in 2015 and 2019.

Kuhad, discussing her recent show, explains that in Delhi, the shows were organized for a limited duration due to the expensive rentals of galleries. However, showcasing her work at her own art gallery in Jaipur presents the advantage of a much longer presentation. In reference to the evolving art landscape of Jaipur, both with the artists and the audience, Kuhad highlights that due to the advances in technology, people have become more aware of various types of art and how to appreciate them. This increased awareness is a positive development for the art world and its artists.

The vivid colours of Himachal

Anupam Bhatnagar, an artist from Ajmer whose 9 paintings are on display at the show, takes his inspiration from the state of Himachal Pradesh. His paintings showcase the diverse beauty through the vibrant portrayal of its colourful flowers, cascading waterfalls, and towering hills. The artist’s ingenuity lies in his skillful use of his medium to vividly capture the essence of the valley’s natural hues. He has deliberately refrained from including human figures in his artwork, believing that the beauty of the pristine natural environment is tainted by human intervention, such as the increasing impact of travel and urbanization.

Bhatnagar’s artwork is a poignant reminder of the detrimental effect of human activities on the environment. He has masterfully depicted the gradual deterioration of the valley’s natural beauty, symbolized through the ominous clouds, melting mountains, and the alarming threat of global warming, which looms over the valley like a dark cloud.

Artist Anupam Bhatnagar with his artworks

Rajwada Series

Laxyapal Singh Rathore, an artist hailing from Ajmer, has a penchant for infusing contemporary elements into traditional Indian classical paintings. A master of the Bengal school of art, his Rajwada series of artworks showcased in the exhibition received high praise from visitors, with one of his pieces even selling on the very first day. Telling more about the Bengal school of art, he says: “The main characteristic of the Bengal School of Art when using watercolors is the use of a technique called the “wash technique.” This involves applying thin layers of watercolor washes to create a gradual transition of color and tone, rather than using opaque colors or strong outlines. The artists of the Bengal School sought to capture the essence of their subjects rather than creating a realistic depiction.”

\Workshops and Talks

In a workshop that was organized on the opening day of the show, senior artist, Ekeshwar Hatwal taught a special technique evolved by him. Eminent art critic, writer poet and a painter, Prayag Shukla will be giving a talk on ‘Art as An Investment’ followed by his poetry recital on 26 February. The event also welcomes young poets from Jaipur to share their works. During the Show, the Gallery is paying tribute to visual artist Daniel Connell by way of screening one of his Ted talks on the value of art in human life, in a loop. Various workshops are being organised on all the Sundays till 2 April.