Kettles used to serve tea and coffees at dhabas have become the canvas for artists at an ongoing exhibition, titled Arte Kettle Garden.
The show by Kala Care Group at IIC highlights issues of dhaba chhotus and right to education. “We have taken kettles from dhabas. Over 40 artists painted their ideas,” said Shweta Zharotia, founder of Kala Care Group.
There are paintings and sculptures as well. “Whenever we go to dhabas, there is always a chhotu using kettles to serve customers. We see it everyday but don’t do anything about it. Kids are tortured and humiliated as domestic helps. The artworks will be auctioned and a fixed per cent of returns will be donated to the NGO Udayan Care Trust, which is engaged in the welfare of underprivileged children.”
One kettle painted black by Moti Zharotia, has the face of small kid. Black signifies childhood in shadows. Another by Suresh Kumar has a book attached. “It has a broken handle too. It inspires one to keep children away from jobs and offer them books instead,” explained the artist.
Paramjeet Singh’s kettle shows a chakka or tea container with three faces. “I used real tea water. I wanted to bring authenticity to the piece,” said the artist. Several kettles were distributed among the artists a month ago by Kala Care Group, which keep doing exhibitions on social and environmental issues.
By K Bhardwaj