First day,First Show

The exhibition hall at the Government Museum and Art Gallery is abuzz with artistic activity. A group of young artists from the Government College of Art get set for “Chapter One” of their creative journey. They call themselves Art Corporaters,a group of students and professionals and “Chapter One” is the title of their first exhibition,which brings together as many as 20 students and 120 works. “The exhibition is self-sponsored and we are proud to be one of the youngest group of artists from Chandigarh,creating a platform to showcase our work,’’ says Ajay Kalwaniya,the founder of the group and a final-year art student.

A platform to experiment and ideate,“Chapter One” is an interesting mix of sculptures,paintings,illustrations,photographs,caricatures,with students using various mediums to express their thoughts and concerns,and many also using a play of words to explain their philosophy.

Harsimran Kaur has created a wooden diya stand,using the form of feet to create various levels. It’s a form that finds place in all her compositions,including one on a mirror,on which Kaur uses a bright green acrylic sheet to create an impact,that appears like a leaf,but on closer look is a foot . “For me,foot is a symbol of being down-to-earth,’’ says the final-year sculpture student. There is a large section devoted to photography,with nature,people and still life the major themes explored by the artists. Khushmant Singh’s Woodland is an eye-catching sculpture which has shoes of miniature sizes in clay and wood. Ankit Awasthi paints how corruption has eroded every sphere of life and uses the image of Gandhi and burnt money to drive the point that today no one can respect Gandhi’s philosophies.

The exhibition is on till March 2 at the Government Museum and Art Gallery.