It is not the greenery alone that stands out from their canvas; it also incorporates aesthetics from Indian and French cultures using vivid colours. In addition to their bloodline, the mother-daughter duo of Maité Delteil and Maya Burman are both passionate about art. And the ongoing exhibition The Flower and the Bulb: The Art of Maité Delteil & Maya Burman only bears testimony to this fact.
The 45-year-old Maya’s water colour, pen and ink paintings feature characters which float through fields languidly while their bodies curve with the shapes of the landscape. They are reminiscent of the French art nouveau tradition, thanks to their floral, decorative patterning. Influences of her formal training in architecture are visible in the scenes set within arches, columns and porches. Maya draws extensive references from the Indian and French cultures. “During those 20 years of painting, I built up a universe of my own. This is what has come out of that dialogue between India and France. I can’t say that I purposely blended both side’s elements. It slowly happened and in constant evolution. Of course you have bright colours and profusion of details that can be linked to Indian tradition. But my figures will remain more classical, in the European way.” One can also see influences of Indian miniature art in Maité’s work.
Maité, born and raised in France, makes oil paintings that are picturesque, replete with lush greenery, flowers in full bloom and birds that congregate about trees painted in bright rounds of fruits and flowers. Her works are songs of praise, in which she exalts the beauty of everyday life even as it passes into decay. The 83-year-old, who is married to contemporary artist Sakti Burman, brings together nature and artifice, creating a sense of balance and restraint.
So what binds the mother-daughter duo togetherIJ “There is a common poetry in our works, Maité and me. Our paintings talk about some kind of joy and happiness. Maité is more meditative and contemplative whereas I’m more in the storm of life,” explains Maya.
She says she has always shared a special relationship with nature. “I want to put nature in the main position in my work. Of course we are in a time where we are obliged to be nature-conscious and try to preserve it. The image I paint of nature is not at all realistic. I’m not here for that purpose. It is more allegorical. Figures are just as puppets lost and surrounded by that nature.”
Talking about Maité, though she divides her time between Delhi and Paris, she prefers the solitude of her countryside house in Anthe in south France. Perhaps may be one of the reasons why she goes back to nature in many of her works.
“I believe that joy can be found in the simple elements of nature and the little things of life. I always paint with a simple thought process. That’s the reason I use nature as a major element in my compositions. According to me, nature evokes emotion. Of course, my representation of nature is symbolic but since our imagination is nothing when compared to the nature’s infinite imagination, it’s a never ending subject. The work that is on display features characters that are poetical and allegorical,” says Maité.
Maya says she usually does not have time for any other activity besides painting. “I am really occupied with my household work and whenever I am free, I paint.”
The duo took one-and-a-half-years to execute their creations and Maya says that this exhibition is an opportunity to trace the artistic lineage of Burman’s family.
“Often, people take for granted that there should be a similarity in our works,” says the younger artist.
“They can experience it with this exhibition. At the same time, a twin show is a good way to showcase the dialogue between two artists. We hope it is a nice opportunity for people to see the links between us as mother and daughter, and also as painters.”
As for which of the two is the flower and bulb, Maya says, “Of course I’m the bulb. As the poetic image, it’s always better not to be the flower. With that option, you are already on the dry side. The bulb, you still don’t know what will come out. And you are sure it will improve.”
The Flower and the Bulb is on display till May at Taj Mahal Hotel in association with the Art Alive Gallery