Interpreting art

Artists from across India showcase paintings under a common theme.

Artists from all over India such as Sachin Karne, Abir Karmakar, Sashidharan, Heeral Trivedi, Arunanshu Chowdhury, Rajiba Pani and Debashish Dutta, have come together to deliver their unique work to people under the common theme, ‘Amongst the others’, a group art show to be held in the city.

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The concept for the exhibition came to Sonal Motla Vashi, the curator of Osmosis Art Gallery, when she found similarities in these artists whose works she was following closely. “They all have individualistic styles, but the theme of their paintings speak to you in the same way,” she says. “Each of the works gives you a sense of being a witness to something profound. I had to put them together.”

The exhibition is a compilation of paintings that speak of nature and themes of the heart and inner-being, making it an eclectic mix of paint on canvas.

Artist Sachin Karmakar tells us his works depict ecological concerns, yet he wants people to interpret them as they wish. “My paintings can have multiple meanings. They may also seem political.”

He cites the example of his painting of a lotus cutter where the lotus is a political symbol. Even though the painting shows the lotuses have been reduced to only leaves, the artist assures us he has nothing against politicians.

The exhibition is also marked by a group of framed collage works by artist Abir Karne. One of the most striking works is the frame with a woman juxtaposed with a man. In bold black and white, the work has an edgy, modern feel to it. “It shows the meeting of two different sensibilities,” says Karne. “One can say it is the peeling of the outer skin to reveal what is beneath.”

Says Vashi, “Everyone has had the sense of being alone in a crowd, where nature is taken away from us, and all we can do is look around and try and find our inner selves. These paintings depict just that.”