Paritosh Sen
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February is a month of festivals, highlighted by the Kala Ghoda Art Fest . As part of the KGAF, 07. JAMAAT has " A FEAST OF ART ".
A superbe collection of paintings specially chosen from the studios of the artists by Pravina Mecklai.
The artists come from all over the country, as Pravina wanted this Feast to represent the different styles of India. And the artists are of varying seniority, to show how all ages can co-mingle together.
Coming from the East and Bengal are the senior artists Paritosh Sen and Suhas Roy. Then the mid-age group of Samir Mondal and Paresh Maity and finally the youngsters Ajay De and Suman Roy.
Paritosh-da paints these amusing images with bold strokes and quirky expressions "Conference of Crows" is his special favourite as it is inspired by the crows outside his window, who seem to be at a board meeting. Charcoal and gold dust on board gives the work an elegant sophistication.
Suhas-da has an ethereal palette range of greys and blues. "Midnight Blue " is exactly that. An amorous embrace done in dreamy tones.
Samir a master watercolourist, makes the colours dance and flow. An opacity flirts with transparency. No rigid lines. Just fluid forms. A bust merges into the abstract into a still life.
Paresh has done his characteristic figures in a vibrant cobalt and gold. The striking combination is inspired by his trip to Alaska. A rare work indeed.
Ajay continues to work in charcoal with hints of acrylic. This triptych is so dramatic with 3 distinct images -the Devi, the Pensive, the Bengali bauli combining to make an arresting work.
Suman has worked on a compassionate, kind Christ. Glowing in golden tones, the divine countenance so at peace.
From the East and Gujrat are Amit Ambalal and Vrindavan Solanki.
Amit has a small tongue-in cheek work called "Bull Bites".Bright colours, bold strokes and humorous imagery makes this work.
Solanki has done the exquisite Gujrati couple in fine, fine brushwork. Hair width strokes make this painting, giving it a light and shadow play that is amazing.
From the South, it is Babu Xavier from Kerala, S.G.Vasudev from Bangalore, Surya Prakash from Hyderabad and Senaka Senanayake from Colombo.
Babu is a man of the tropics. His bright colours, bold compositions and exotic forms tell of his origin. The lush Kerala forests are seen immediately.
Vasu does works that are an intriguing mix of the figurative with the abstract. Titled "She", the feminine form is only in the face. Tumbling behind, the hair turns into an abstract form of warm colours highlighted by hints of bright red and green.
Surya is almost European in his demeanor and work. An elegant, soft-spoken, well read gent. His works show the same reserve and discipline as the man. "Autumn Leaves " is a wonderful landscape of trees in the fall colours done in the pointillist style.
Senaka is as much from India as anyone. His bit of paradise is seen in his brightly plumed birds in their vibrant abode amongst dense foliage.
Saving the best for the last, from 'amchi' Bombay we have two senior artists. Jehangir Sabavala and Akbar Padamsee.
Jehangir has given an early work from his time in Paris. A strongly drawn nude figure with excellent lines and shading done with charcoal on paper.
Akbar has done a Sufi head with watercolour on paper. Such wisdom, such understanding, such knowledge is seen in the expression.
This is our FEAST OF ART.
Come feast your eyes, your heart, your soul.
Show continues till 5th March, 07.
Gallery hours 11 am to 7 pm [except Sundays]
Jehangir Sabavala
Akbar Padamsee
Amit Ambalal
Surya Prakash
S.G.Vasudev
Suhas Roy
Senaka Senanayake
Paresh Maity
Babu Xavier