Moods in motion

Manpriya Singh

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In his own words, paintings and drawings are his narration of moods and emotions. A statement clearly substantiated by artist Ranjan Kumar Mallik’s works at the ongoing exhibition organised by Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi.

“As a creative person, I always respond to the beauty of nature and the people around me. I spend time to absorb and realise about the Mother Nature and society through my body, mind and spirits,” he shares.

While nature generously dots his works, it’s people and society that make for thought-provoking canvases. For instance, an artwork in acrylic on canvas, titled Social Ties, presenting the humbling picture of four kids being carried on a bicycle.

“That was actually a scene in Mathura I came across while shooting for a documentary. That picture stands for so many things, all the kids together were holding so many things, they kept falling, again getting back on track. It also depicts the special bond that parents and children have in India,” adds the artist, who admittedly likes to interact with characters and motifs on the canvas. While in the said work, one is likely to miss the hundred rupee currency note on the road that symbolises the daily wages, with a major section of the masses scrambling for basic needs. “The little elements can depict the harsh reality, but the endeavour always is to focus on positivity of everything. Of the total 28 works on display, there is yet another canvas completely open to interpretation, with key elements of an open ground, racing track, running shoes and currency notes.

Apart from several things that it could stand for, “It highlights the importance of money and at the same time people’s obsession with money.” Moving on there’s a tribal woman and giraffe in the background. “I paint thoughts, society, nature, moods and sometimes all or some of them put together.”

The works clubbed under the series, Mind Scape, depict right from a lover’s dream to a woman in contemplation. While most of the works are acrylic on canvas, a few drawings comprise black acrylic on hard board.

On till December 31 at the galleries of CLKA, Rani Laxmi Bai Bhawan—38C, Chandigarh.

manpriya@tribunemail.com