Layers of Life

Bengal-based artist Sumana Som, studied BFA in 2011 from the College of Art and Design of Burdwan, West Bengal and later she received MFA in painting from University of Hyderabad in 2013. She speaks about her works at the group show, which is titled 'Enigmatic Intricacies'. “My work explores human nature. I slowly arrtived at the scientific part of five senses of the human nature, related and connected to the sources like land, water, sand, wind and fire.”

She adds, “There are three paintings that I have displayed in the exhibition. These paintings are done in mixed media on cotton cloth. I used mediums like thread on cloth and joined graphite, led, pen and ink.” One of her work is titled, ‘Absolutely Sea is Alive’. “This work loosely based on the political environment. I have an image reference from one of the incidents of my life; last year in West Bengal, a woman was killed by members of a political party when she was fighting for her land,” she explains. She shows the struggle of the woman; the problems she faced are symbolically represented by an Octopus grappling her even as a good hand is trying to help her get out of the problem.

The painting also shows other still figures representing the familiar sight of people watching when an incident happens, and police. She has used varied medium to recreate the scene that created a permanent impressionon her mind.” Artist Kundan Mondal, who studied art from MS University, Baroda has also displayed three works. He used pigment colour on a surface that he made on his own by pasting rice paper on a plywood panel.

“My work – ‘After Goya’ is a narrative story telling about the current socio political situation around us; it's a retake on Francisco Goya's work (which was based on the incidents from the war). So in my work I have tried to create an environment where I have shown the consequences of conflict on soldiers and civilians from what we witness in the current situation of Kashmir. Another painting ‘The critique’ is a work, which analyses the literary, philosophical and political situation around us and criticises the meaning of the above terminology.”

Gujurat based Artist Sanket Viramgami shares about his work, “There are two paintings I had displayed and two different medium I used - pastels on paper and acrylic on canvas. My works reflect the overall perspective view of the world around me. It narrates about the shifting and transforming time and space in life.

The background surface of my works is drawn from the conclusions of inside- outside stories, politics of nature and mythological images, then, the images of present life in rural area and my ongoing journey in urban city were imposed; layered and blended on the background surface through loose rhythmic patterns. This creates a third dimension through merging of two vivid sources. And employing the technique of camouflaging in Indian miniatures and Kantha technique, but on a larger scale to depict the change in life style of humans.”

What: Art Exhibition - Enigmatic Intricacies
Where: Dhi Artspace, Ameerpet
When: until March 11 between 11am and 7pm

By Heena Mishra