Spectrum of Life: An art exhibition by Dr. Sushma Mahajan

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Dr. Sushma Mahajan, a practicing radiologist from Jaipur, has carved a unique niche for herself as a self-taught watercolour artist during the lockdown. Her impressive record of five exhibitions held in both Jaipur and Delhi over a span of less than three years is testament to the fact that her fervour for painting burns as brightly as her professional dedication.

Artist Dr. Sushma Mahajan

The exquisite Maharani Mahal, nestled within the opulent Rambagh Palace’s Sawai Man Mahal, played host to Dr. Mahajan’s latest exhibition. The regal surroundings lent an unmatched charm to her meticulously crafted artworks, creating a perfect backdrop for a journey through the ‘Spectrum of Life.’

‘Spectrum of Life,’ as the exhibition was aptly named, transported viewers into a world where the canvas became a window to diverse realms of existence. From majestic art and architecture to the untamed beauty of animals and the serenity of landscapes, Dr. Mahajan’s paintings captured the essence of life in all its forms.

Yet, her art goes beyond the canvas; it offers glimpses into the intricacies of her own life. Visitors to the exhibition discovered insights about her family, such as her daughter’s affinity for the guitar and her husband’s penchant for Irish beer. These personal touches added depth to the already profound experience of exploring her art.

A mere glance at Dr. Mahajan’s paintings reveals her remarkable ability to enchant viewers with paintings showcasing the innocence of squirrels as well as the fierceness of mighty predators. Her true genius, however, lies in her mastery of capturing the essence of the human eye. In her compositions, eyes come to life, speaking volumes through their nuanced expressions.Precision is the hallmark of Dr. Mahajan’s work. Whether she is meticulously contouring the lines of vintage cars, capturing the anatomical perfection of horses, or recreating the geometric elegance of architectural wonders, her attention to detail is second to none. It is this precision that breathes life into her compositions, drawing the viewer into a world where realism reigns supreme.

Below are some of our favourite picks from her exhibition and their evocative descriptions, penned by her husband, Naveen Mahajan:

The Irish Pub

There are sworn lovers for the extremely dark hued Guinness beer – my husband is one of them and he got introduced to this Irish beer in Canada through his hostel day friend. I loved the architectural façade of the pub with an interesting wall clock and slogan – After Work is Guinness Time!

Guitar
Music can never be away from an artist – I get fascinated particularly when anyone plays guitar beautifully. My daughter is quite proficient in making her guitar literally “sing” and I cherish that smile getting bigger on her face each time she picks up her guitar. Here is my artistic ode to this splendid instrument – I wanted it to stand out against these rusted corroded nuts and bolts.

Tender Moment

This is my artwork which emanates love and affection. An adorable pair of snuggling horses. Two pretty souls stealing tender moments of togetherness. Watch out for the details crafted in doing the mane and the coat pattern of this Pinto pair.

Curves to Kill

Vintage cars have a fascination of their own. They evoke nostalgic memories of an era when each automobile was crafted and designed rather than mass produced as is the case today. Each vintage car has an exciting story behind it like the one I am presenting – this French made luxury car of 1938 vintage was a rage in Europe – just about a dozen were made and barely 6-7 survive today.

Tiger’s Fury

To an ardent lover of wild life, there is no visual delight to match the magnificence of the tiger in the wild. And here is the ferocious big cat roaring aloud in supreme fury..Can you spot the fire his eyes? The canines in his jaw wide opened are the showstoppers..The close up composition is to accentuate the viewing impact.

Marvel in Stone

This exquisite artwork is my tribute to the glorious temple architecture of our country. This is the Chariot temple which stands out in the ruins of Hampi. Built 500 years ago by the Vijaynagar kings, it appears to be made out of a single rock but the architects of those time had the acumen to smartly conceal the linkages of granite slabs with artistic skill. It has been a real painstaking effort to artistically reproduce the magnificent charm of this Garuda temple – it is my Magnum Opus.