Lessons from the master

Few senior painters would lend a helping hand to young, upcoming artists.

Few senior painters would lend a helping hand to young, upcoming artists. So, when Sushma Bahl conceptualised the theme of The Artist and his Muse, for an ongoing series, little did the art fraternity realise it would bring the traditional and the contemporary together so seamlessly.

HT Image

Paresh Maity’s sharing space with Puja Bahri at Nvya Art Gallery juxtaposes the veteran’s creative genius with the youngster’s vibrant flow of energy, bright colours and confidence. “I have always been a great admirer of his works and it’s a great opportunity to share gallery space with one of my idols,” affirms Bahri.

Maity feels that it’s a unique way of promoting the young. “Art can’t be a watertight manifestation of an idea,” he says. “One has to learn the traditional aspect of any art to get acquainted with the basic grammar first and then explore,” he makes it clear in the same breath. “Any country is respected for its rich traditions, artistic merit and heritage. So there has to be an identity.”

Maity is also adamant about “unlearning” all to develop and discover one’s self. “Art is forever evolving and reflects time and period. One’s techniques should lend a new meaning to one’s creativity.”

They may be alike in many ways and yet dissimilar in many, but both the artist and the muse derive inspiration from “whatever catches our fancy in and around our lives,” says Bahri. Maity warns the common man not to attribute any motive to what he discerns, “One should just enjoy what one observes and touches one’s heart and not find any hidden meanings.” A close look at his dazzling figures would confirm his underlying statement – that it’s the luminosity within his frames that leaves an impact rather than the subtext that is too deep.