Akademi exhibition mesmerises art lovers

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 23

An exhibition of artists from the Lalit Kala Akademi put up at the Virsa Vihar’s Satya Paul Gallery has managed to stir artistic instincts of the city populace.This has come after a considerable lull at the city’s art hub, Virsa Vihar, which remained occupied in sales and seasonal bonanzas.

While Jalandhar conveniently lives in a cliché-ridden bubble where attempts at soul searching – at least through art – are hard to come by, the latest offering by the artists – many of them award winners – chosen by the Lalit Kala Akademi does serve up some food for thought.

Sumeet Dua’s ‘In search of woods’ – a number of ants striving out of a huge wooden frame – with some dropping onto the floor below - makes a potent initial impact while in Gaurvi Sharma’s stirring, award winning mixed media work ‘And Then There was Blast’ – an asymmetrical and rather stylised big-mouthed, flower-and-bird-haired woman sits in a verdant collage-esque garden being gawked at by a wide-eyed butterfly, brings to mind an odd amalgamation of both Frida Kahlo and Dada sensibilities.

While the woman in the work is bold, sure and contemporary; in Gaurvi’s other works, however, the women are more childlike, coy, at peace with themselves and nature. A comparison reveals versatility and depth in the artist’s works.

Rahul Dhiman’s untitled work depicting a red flag standing in the midst of as surreal railway track makes a string statement while Ramneet Kaur’s contrived-woman-faces titled ‘Disillusioned’ bring out another aspect of woman – this one being in strife, conflicted and disillusioned.

Ranjana’s surreal suspended-in-mid-air homes take one to an alternate world while Randeep Singh’s ‘Democracy’ and Ravinder Singh’s ‘Power of Indian Economy’ are satirical in their approach and are strong comments on the times we live in. While ‘Democracy’ (it’s a photograph of a graffiti) features an exposed-brick, car-shaped wall patch with wheels painted underneath, ‘The Power Of Indian Economy’ features a cow’s etching with an overcast sky and richly populated neighbourhood on its back.

Among works which are marked by an inherent wit, include Rajesh Khurana’s UFO, a rock mound floating in mid air in front of a non-descript Indian home by a water body, Bibekanand Kapri’s Crocodile installation with a cloth-iron serving as the mouth of the crocodile and welded pipes for its legs, Lekh Ram’s witty comment on education ‘Paralel and Oblique’– various boards with alphabets (in different languages) with ties overhung in front of them and the most potent of the lot – Hardev Singh’s ‘Man and Rituals’ – juxtaposing the photographs of ritualistically clothed nether parts of men against photographs of their faces.

Aman Sohal’s Fire in the Field, Vinod Kumar’s Idea Come and Go, Lakhwinder Singh Insan’s I Am Just Feeling The Fly, Mahesh Prjapati’s Dinner, Hasprret Singh’s Jeevan Gatha, Renuka Sondhi Gulati’s Waiting, Jagdeep Singh’ Portrait among a host of others works also charm the senses.

Jalandhar’s very own Basudeb Biswas’ wood-block and nail installation – is a charming take on feminism as well as Anil Gupta’s ‘It’s my Territory’ are also inspiring in essence. Among photographs, Jaspal Kaman’s Eloquent Shadow, Subhash Parikar’s Homage to Rene Magritte and Jaskanwal’s inner Reflection also stand out.