An Art Collage Carnival attempts to find the roots of classical Indian art through varied depictions of human faces. By Team Viva
With most Indian artists opting for modern and contemporary art, the essence of old classical art form is getting lost. And it is to stem this decline, that the students of Delhi College of Art have put up an exhibition to bring back the old form of art which is gradually losing its significance.
There are canvasses which depict myriad human faces, mirror work and prints as well through the human face Ashwani Kumar wanted to depict that the faces were neither sad nor happy they were in thinker positions. we could also see mirror work which was depicting the relationships between humans there were also running horses which again depict the challenges that a human face in his everyday life , all the paintings were conveying some kind of messages related to human life and the challenges that they face.
The students have given expression to their creativity, not through 25-30 paintings as is the norm in most exhibitions. Here one can walk through all the nine galleries of lalit Kala Akademi and admire 600 paintings that the budding artists have put up. The idea behind this exhibition is to enroll technology into education.
Ashwani Kumar Prithviwasi, Principal and Managing director of Delhi Collage of Art says, “There are different galleries but the very first gallery belongs to me as my soul show is exhibited here. You’ll also see collage here which includes mirror work, human faces, prints, street art which I made on the wall 20 years back. It’s a certainly a unique exhibition which you will not get to see everywhere.”
Prithviwasi made an early foray into art when he was in class XII. “A friend was going through a difficult time so while supporting him in his painting I realised that this is my calling. For 12 years, I pursued courses in fine arts and now I can work in different styles.I can make 1000 paintings in different styles.”
For Prithviwasi, human faces serve as inspiration. He says, “They reflect a type of seriousness, which helps me to showcase my life’s philosophy. The faces are neither sad nor they are happy but reflect the demeanour of a thinker which in turn, reflects me. I have been teaching art for 21 years. The face is the first thing you notice when you meet a person and so human faces have always inspired me.”
Prithviwasi admires the international sculptor Anish kapoor and MF. Hussain who have contributed to art and put India on the world art map. “Both the artist have showcased their work to the world,” he says.
But not just Prithviwasi, the students too were excited and confident about showcasing their work at the exhibition. Some of them had put up with interesting art works.
Navita, 20 says, “When started my career in this I was not confident, but thanks to the encouragement Ashwin sir I am showcasing my work a second time and it is a euphoric feeling.”
Each student has put up two to three paintings. The students have come up with innovative, creative and different ideas and their different thought processes are visible through the paintings. Each of them has a unique style of showcasing their art.
The students had different ambitions for their future. Some wanted to be famous, others wanted to use their art to earn their livelihood, some wanted to help the poor and give all the money earned from their work to the charity and others wanted to pursue this as it was their passion.