The monochromatic works of artist Pushpa Bagrodia are reflections of nature with shades of grey, says Kritika Dua
Nature is devoid of negativity and only humans possess it. Nature is complete in itself and doesn’t need us. It only spreads happiness, tranquility and positivity,” said artist Pushpa Bagrodia, who at 75, has embodied her worldview in a series of charcoal works, her very first.
Called Shwet Syam, simply because they are done in the primary colours of black and white, the 50 exhibits are done in realistic and semi-abstract styles and embrace the beauty and power of nature, ranging from leaves blowing in the wind, the tiniest of flowers, leaf tendrils, veins and all things microscopic, a puddle of water and landscapes. Said Bagrodia, “Shwet-Syama captures the essence of my work. Shwet is a Sanskrit word meaning white and the word Shyama is taken from Braj language which I changed to Syama. I chose the starkness of black and white because day and night are different from each other, yet so complete and can’t be looked at separately. That was possible only with charcoal. My artwork always revolved around watercolours which I have attained finesse in over time. However, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone.”
The realistic naturescape required a lot of precision and dedication. To achieve the same, she did a water-wash, pencilled a sketch and outlined it with charcoal. Water washing gave her canvas softness, took the work to another level and enhanced its realism.
We liked a painting of leafless trees which gazes straight towards the viewer, clawing its way into his consciousness. In a world where people are getting distant from nature and destroying it rapaciously, it seemed to hit home.
Bagrodia has always felt a close connection with nature. “Trees, flowers, sunset, sunrise are the subjects I was always interested in. I am also inclined towards photography and my frames are about nature. So, I decided to paint them on the canvas.”
The two large paintings (90 inches x 42 inches) consumed more time as Bagrodia, despite her ripe years, had to balance her idea delicately.
But then, having witnessed many of life’s twists and turns, Bagrodia is not afraid of negotiating the roughs. She turned to painting as a catharsis. “My son was suffering from cancer and I took up the paintbrush as a catharsis. Slowly my art, which began as a way to keep myself busy, turned into an all-consuming passion. He has passed away after which I have created the charcoal work,” she recalled. Not as a reaction to her loss but to see life as a part of nature itself.
Her first series of paintings was exhibited at lalit Kala Akademi in 1999 and with her charcoal exhibit today, she feels that her life has now turned full circle. She said that art was never her bread and butter and there wasn’t any competition. It was a hobby which later turned into a passion. “I donate the proceeds from my works of art to charity and medical care,” she told us. “Art is everything, my life revolves around it. It gives me joy from within.”
The travelling show is on display at lalit Kala Akademi till November 6, it will move to Creativity Art Gallery in Hauz Khas from November 8 to 20. The show will then go to Kolkata where it will be on display from January 13 to 26 at the Harrington Street Gallery.