Artist son dreams of giving M.F. Husain a complex

Owais Husain son of painter in exile M F Husain, will exhibit his paintings and other media works starting Saturday. HT reports

Owais Husain (43) son of painter in exile M F Husain, will exhibit his paintings and other media works starting Saturday.

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The exhibition, titled 3 Worlds, is Husain’s first major exhibition in the city after 10 years. This is also the first time that the artist is showing his photographs, video art and writings along with his paintings.

“My father would have been happy to see all the other work I have done besides painting. I’d like to think he would have got a complex,” joked Husain.

The exhibition, being held at the Tao Art Gallery, Worli, is divided among three spaces. The main gallery showcases Husain’s paintings, charcoal and ink drawings. The second section is a sound and video installation in the basement.

Music produced by the artist plays in the background as viewers are invited to use torches to read Husain’s writings scribbled over his water colours.

Two wooden cots form part of the installation, which also includes photographs and a video projection.

The third part is an installation of three life size models of Siberian tigers perched on limestone rocks brought from the Syrian Desert. To view that, you will have to hop over to the atrium of the adjacent building, Sarjan Plaza.

“I have been working in all these media for several years, which has contributed to my evolution as a painter. It is time to acknowledge the independent lives that these works lead,” said Husain.

“Owais is a multi faceted artists who films, paints, draws and composes his own music. This show brings all of his work together for the first time,” said Kalpana Shah, curator and director of Tao Art Gallery.