My art is born out of what I feel, see, think, says artist Varun Sahni

Amidst a riot of colours and abstractions, certain silhouettes peak out from vibrant canvases. Elsewhere, birds take flight, the sky is lowering with the promise of deep purple rain clouds and sombre turbaned workmen stare out into nothingness in the middle of busy, chaotic railway stations and trains leaving platforms, laden with the possibility of the busy days ahead.

Artist Varun Jai Sahni, brought his art works for the Jalandhar audiences for the first time, in an art exhibition — ‘A Tapestry of Healing Colours’, curated and brought to Jalandhar under an intiative by Seema Anand Chopra (Romesh Chander Memorial Trust).

Grandson of actor/author Balraj Sahni and son of actor Parikshit Sahni, Varun is his own man, seeking refuge and expression in his chosen language — art — to tell his life’s tale.

Opening to the Jalandhar audiences today at the Satya Paul Art Gallery in Virsa Vihar here, Varun’s artworks showcased a riot of neons, blues, greens and pinks — interspersed with blues and purples. The exhibition will continue till March 2.

Amidst the silhouetted figures standing out from the myriad paintings, the one bearing grandfather Balraj Sahni’s profile ominously stood right at the wall just in front of the entrance to the gallery — with a pile of books penned by Balraj Sahni himself, placed neatly on a table for attendees. Abstract images on the surfaces, on careful consideration, bore figures, ports, landscapes, flames, solitude, love and laughter.

Speaking about his inspiration for the exhibition he said, “My art is born out of what I feel, see, the thoughts I think. I express myself through this.”

While he borrows much of his calm and artistic inspiration from nature’s silences, sunsets and bounties, Varun said coming to Punjab — the motherland of his ancestors — had always been a special experience for him, and during this trip to Jalandhar, he spent most of it walking.