Oh God!

Manpriya Singh

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In times of intolerance, should it be art to the rescue? But the likes of Nanak, Buddha, Shiva, Jesus... have often put a ceiling on religious art, continue to infiltrate everyday life, deeply resonate with artists and inspire the evident portraits.

In human forms, it is the art that is as obvious as it gets. Anything beyond can be quite provoking to the sensibilities (think MF Husain’s controversial canvases).

However, the delicate subject of religion is all too alluring to be not given an interpretative twist on the canvas. Here are some of the artists who have explored religion in their works.

Colour of religion

Saffron, in India, the colour we associate with religion, fundamentalism, apart from the colour of sun, fire, holiness and quest for knowledge. “Against the backdrop of that base colour, I made a flower, trash can, dirty shoes, tiny feet; symbolising the impressionable and the good and the bad that we do in the name of religion,” shares Chandigarh-based freelance artist Kanika Chugh. She adds, “Originally, I thought of putting in the canvas a lot of other unmentionables only to make it harder hitting and thought provoking. However, for political purposes I refrained from doing that.”

Symbolic representation

For artist Mallika Chabba, having showcased through an exhibition in the city, religion was depicted through symbolism. Pupil became a fetus signifying the birth of an emotion, lotus standing for innate goodness and splashed colours, for the chaos that one creates. “It has been an attempt to show, what is real and what lies within our minds. One can also look at it as the Third Eye of Lord Shiva, how he sees everything and yet manages to find goodness in all of us despite the chaos,” she shares, while admitting to, “the most fascinating theme for me has been vision and perspective of human and divine soul.” She adds, “Thus my journey began with the Vision of The Gypsy God.”

From then to now

The majority’s introduction to religious art or the use or influence of religion in art goes back to the great painters of the Renaissance period. The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci being just a case in point. Many of them restricted to painting the life of Christ, portraits or verses. Likewise, in this part of the world.

Sometimes, its meaning; sometimes its essence, at times even its absence or futility, religion, faith and the effect it has on mankind has been a popular provocation.

George Emmanuel, when commissioned to depict the life of Guru Nanak through graphic paintings, let the message take over. “While working on the theme, I let his basic teachings be the guiding principle rather than any other element.”

It was ditto for city based artist Divya Jaggi. Having been practicing Buddhism for seven years now, she didn’t want to paint Buddha, now ubiquitous in art works but display the essence of teachings. “In religion there is often a reference to enlightenment. In one of my works I showcased a person climbing stairs. The stairs stood for the right path and in this orbit if you can be on the right track, you are enlightened.”

Yet, another work titled gratitude followed. “That is yet another spiritual state of being that most religions intend to preach us.” If only they taught tolerance way more explicitly.

manpriya@tribunemail.com