The tale of a travelling art show

Bringing the artists’ culture on a canvas, this art show is trying to bridge the cultural gap between various audiences. Currently at display in New Delhi, it will be moving to Chennai and Singapore.

By painting images of Hindu God Ganesha and rendering south Indian culture, 15 artists from south India are trying to bridge the gap between north India and south India, while also sparking thoughts in the minds of audiences abroad. By putting on canvas the environments they have grown up in and reflecting their cultures, these artists are trying to show that north and south India are only geographically apart and indeed have many commonalities.

A travelling show, the exhibition is currently at display in Art Spice gallery at The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa, New Delhi, where it will remain till January 2019 before it is moved to Chennai and then Singapore.

“The main objective of the show is to blur boundaries between north and south India as well as internationally. The exhibition showcases works that everybody can relate to. It has brought together 15 artists and tied them in a common thread with their works and even with a diverse audience,” says Babita Gupta, founder, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa.

The paintings have been left open to the viewers’ interpretation and are thus untitled

With 75 pieces of art, all paintings by artists from south India, the  exhibition evokes the sense of unity and diversity that India is synonymous to.

“The artworks are by well-recognised artists from the south. Even though the artists are from the same region you will see diversity in the works though the medium remains same(Acrylic on canvas),” says Gupta.

“Most of them have painted Ganesha, but the uniqueness remains in the different ways Ganesha has been perceived and showcased on canvas,” she adds.

There are works by G Raman, who has played with light and colour to depict Lord Ganesha in a creative light. P Gnana, on the other hand, has used a unique medium to finish off his works, which shine like glass when completed.

Although a fragment of the artist’s imagination the paintings have been left open to the viewers’ interpretation and are thus untitled.

“The works talk about our culture, our religious beliefs and also our perceptions and the environment that is unique to each and everyone. Although what the international audiences see in our art is a burst of colours, but these are vivid images of folklore of the villages and also how the same God (Ganesha) gets depicted in so many different ways in the country,” says Gupta.

“Whether it be the complicated detailing by G Raman or child like works of Jaya Srinivasan or the beautiful interpretation of Ganesha in N Manoharan’s watercolours, it is a fascinating journey for the international audience, which rarely gets to view so many artists under one roof with innumerable stories to tell,” she concludes.