Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
WHEN BEGINNERS PUT UP A BUOYANT SHOW!
The exhibition of works of seven artists from Lucknow College of Arts and Crafts ends on a promising note
As the name suggests, ‘Beginning’, an art exhibition held at Lalit Kala Academy last week, marked the beginning of artistic journey of seven immensely talented artists from the Lucknow College of Arts and Crafts.
The exhibition, which was inaugurated last Sunday, saw the works of these artists being showcased to art connoisseurs, including former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.
“We pooled all our resources to make this happen,” says Vishal Gupta, sculpting artist, one of the seven brains behind the exhibition.
Vishal, whose nature inspired sculptures received high praise from the guests, says, “Various media were used to express the art. Among the materials used were sandstone, fiber, bronze and terracotta. One of these sculptures was an amalgamation of multiple mediums: terracotta, metal wires and wood.”
“I used these to make what is called a multimedia sculpture,” insists Vishal who is into sculpting since childhood.
“I had keen interest in sculpting ever since I was a kid to the extent that I once asked my parents to take me to a potter,” he says, adding, “What makes sculpting special for me is that I feel it is very versatile. With sculpting one can use a plethora of mediums and work in all three dimensions thus making art as ‘real’ as it can be.”
“Our parents are the real heroes behind the success of this exhibition as they encouraged and supported us all throughout,” says Samreen Fatima, a painter.
Talking about the six months of struggle faced by these artists in setting up the exhibition, she says, “We are greenhorns when it comes to organising an exhibition on this scale. We had never done such a thing before and that’s what made the whole process challenging as well as exciting.”
Samreen, whose arresting depictions of monsoon received much praise, says, “I draw my inspiration from the works of Alyssa Monks, an American figurative artist. ‘Reflection’ was the overarching theme of my paintings.”
Shivam Sinha, another painter whose works were on display at the exhibition talks about the challenges an artist faces while working with various mediums.
“Even though every medium is unique and has its own challenges I feel that watercolour is a relatively tougher medium to work with but it has certain advantages. It imparts a certain ‘transparency’ to the painting. I’ve used this property to create what’s called a ‘flow painting’ where colours are spread across the panel creating various forms, in my case, birds,” he says.
All of Shivam’s four paintings portray birds in various shapes and forms. Acrylic and oil were the medium of most of Shivam’s paintings and almost all of the thirty paintings displayed at the gallery.
Talking about the exhibition Shivam says, “There is a lack of awareness about the potential of art here in Lucknow, something that we want to overcome through open gallery exhibitions like ‘Beginning’.”
National awardee artist Muhammad Shakeel gave his blessings to the exhibition.
“Looking at the new direction and thought of the artists it appears that there has been a beginning of a new energy in the university. I felt elated looking at the works of different artists. I hope this journey never stops. I also hope that they have a bright future,” he says.