Art calls for very high research, believes renowned sculptor, painter and designer Shiv Singh, and he found it in the works of Hemant Malhotra, whose exhibition of paintings Singh inaugurated at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16, Chandigarh, on Thursday.
An amalgamation of modern art and materials such as aluminum rods, wooden pieces, thread and sand, Hemant’s pieces are unique in their own right. Titled Expressions, the exhibition has over 50 works of art created over several decades.
{Shiv Singh (black) with Hemant Malhotra. Gurpreet Singh/HT}
Formerly an officer at the Indian Overseas Bank, Hemant says painting has been his love since an early age. “I was an amateur painter when I was a student and later when I was working. But, ever since I retired, I have turned my passion into a full-time job,” he says and adds, “My paintings cover abstract representation of reality, which would evoke different images in the mind of the viewer — from the directional prodding of more defined forms to a completely open interpretation of colours on the plane."
From Rainforest and Sunset View From the Window, which are oil on canvas, to Bronze Man, Hemant’s works leave you mesmerised. On his use of material, Shiv Singh said, “One needs to have a sense of understanding for materials which comes from a lot of practice. The way Hemant has put materials on oil on canvas and acrylic on canvas is a form of mural and not embossing. His paintings have great aesthetics.”
{{/usCountry}}From Rainforest and Sunset View From the Window, which are oil on canvas, to Bronze Man, Hemant’s works leave you mesmerised. On his use of material, Shiv Singh said, “One needs to have a sense of understanding for materials which comes from a lot of practice. The way Hemant has put materials on oil on canvas and acrylic on canvas is a form of mural and not embossing. His paintings have great aesthetics.”
{{/usCountry}}Singh also observed that Hemant had control over his strokes and handled surface and colours correctly. “His art is a beautiful construction with colours and geometrical forms,” he added. The display is on till October 13.