February opened to a vibrant, colourful artists and makers market ‘By Hand, From The Heart‘. The show organised at Lalit Kala Akademi featured 46 artists from all around the country. The 17th edition of the event, showcased the Art Group Show from February 1st to 3rd, while the Makers market will open on February 5th and will close on the evening of the 6th.
Though the Art Group Show flaunted impeccable talent, we had to pick some of our favourites.
A series of pen, ink and charcoal drawing by Alamelu Annhamalai, on the yellowing-pages of The Art of Remaking Men by Paul Campbell, was any book lovers dream. The illustrations, inspired from the content of the page, leaves you lingering even as you leaf through the words that turned muse to this 22-year old. Her work, largely reminiscent of sorts, captures the evanescent beauty of life.
Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart. Shilpy Gupta the artist behind The Ceramic Trail, certainly goes through great lengths to perfect her art. Each piece of art displays a depth of feeling and emotion which allows the audience a connect with the artist. Shilpy’s Mystic Musings which featured whirling dervishes and the silhouettes of their Turkish surroundings did the artist credit. However, it was Love me Tender inspired by Rumi’s poem that was nothing short of elegant.
Mridula Harihar, a glass artist, is as dynamic as her art. What started out as just dabblings of a child is now a full time profession. The first thing that catches your eye as you pass by her exhibits are the wide-eyed owls staring at you. You are almost instantly transported to the secret vault of childhood memories. Her exhibit Full Fuse showcases recycled glass bottles, an old window that masquerades as an chic centre table and much more.
Not all those who wander are lost. A great truth, and it certainly does hold true in the case of Darshan Singh Grewal‘s S A U D A D E. A series of photographic installations deals with the search for self. Darshan uses the metaphor of a Tribalistic Clown whose quest for being takes him through the country-side. The artist describes the photo craft series as, “A poignant metaphor reflecting a nostalgic emotion each one of us feels at some phase of our lives.”
Aarthi Karwayun‘s, Project Divinty, flaunted the artist’s flawless eye for detail. The exhibit dealt with women and used charcoal as a medium. The series, Project Divinty, just at the name implies, is a journey towards the realisation that we are the divinity that we seek outside us.
