The group show, Thesis and Antithesis, combines comments on present social conditions with creative trends. By Darpan Mago
Mohan Jangid shows a naked female lying on a bed in an erotic posture. The painting is in neon colours with balanced combination of red, green and yellow. Strikingly provocative, this painting does less of what it seems on a surface level and sets the viewer thinking. One wonders if this painting is just sensual in nature or offers other interpretations. Rather it does more than simply being enticing, it depicts a dauntless women without clothes and is a representation of female emancipation. The painting has been titled Blue Intoxication and exemplifies painter’s liberal thought process. The hues of green and red are symbols of nature and one cannot miss the underlying message of this painting. “In some quarters of our society, talking about sex is still a taboo. If we don’t talk on a particular subject, how else will we rectify of what seems depravedIJ This painting only sets a space for a candid discussion on sex and puts forth the fearlessness of a woman, even though when she is naked. If a work of art cannot expand your horizons, it has failed all its moral responsibilities. The whole idea wrapped around this unique painting is to invite a sincere discussion on the subject,” says Debobrata Das, the curator of the exhibition titled Thesis and Antithesis by Gallery on MG. The gallery is currently displaying the works of 10 contemporary artists from around the country.
Art in current times is facing drastic changes and modern art collectors do not intend to buy paintings for investment, they want to buy something that meets their decorative needs. The question is: If artists should make what is demanded or follow their own imagination. In philosophical discourse, thesis and antithesis are often combined into a synthesis that provides a new way of looking at the world. “The trend is similar to what happened in Europe during Renaissance. Artists did what they were asked to do over their heart’s desire. Thesis is conforming to what is being demanded and antithesis symbolises something that the artists himself chooses to do. Thus, the title of exhibition Thesis and Antithesis is a strong pull between the two and represents the current scenario,” says Debobrata Das, the curator of this exhibition. The art pieces carry varied forms and styles aiming to set the canons of contemporary times. An amalgamation of paintings and sculptures, this exhibition showcases creativity through various media of artistic expression.
Mrinmoy Barua, another painter who has displayed his work at the exhibition, has been painting for past 20 years. The artist beautifully captures the essence of the modern times in his work Manthan. “like we have the mention of Samudra Manthan in mythology, this painting is representation of modern manthan for roti (fight for food). My works are never focussed on any topic. They are inspired by force that exists in our natural surroundings and I try to paint such energies on canvas. If you see closely, there are over eight human figures presented in abstract form,” says Mrinmoy.
The use of vibrant acrylic colours makes this work lively and the textures are typical of showing volume and mass in the painting. Colour combination of red and white seems to be referring to the forces of wind and fire. Though as per the artist, his colours aren’t symbolic of anything but they mean to uplift the appeal of his artwork.
Apart from sexuality and survival, one of the paintings by Meena laisaram titled Mom and Me presents the fond memories of a painter with her mother. Hailing from Manipur, which has nearly 35 per cent tribal population, Meena says her parents belonged to different ethnic groups and she acquired best from both the worlds. “My father expired when I was very young. Though a child brings happiness to a family, it is difficult for a single parent to raise a girl, given our social norms,” expresses Meena.
The painting is a mixture of sadness and happiness. It conveys a mother’s merry to see her child grow and also pictures her anxieties of raising it all by herself. This artwork uses warm colours and becomes a playfield for this artist to articulate her thoughts. The background of the painting also depicts tribal symbols and tradition of animal hunting.
Other artists exhibiting their work include Apurv Singh, Ajay Narayan, Sunayna Malhotra, Santosh Verma, Sailesh Mohan Ojha (sculptor), Sanjay Sen Gupta, Meena laisaram and Renu Bariwal (sculptor).