Meet the Artist

As they worked,the artists,among them Jodh Singh,Sonal Virdi and Sadhna Sangar,interacted with the select group of art lovers. An effort of the city-based art promotion outfit,Artscapes,the event had as many as eight artists painting on a single canvas,each using a different medium and technique to create a picture. “An artist’s work signifies freedom and we had fun creating different strokes,” says Neenu Vij,who used varied shades of green to create patches of grass. “It can be described as a creative collaboration of varied sensibilities and techniques,” she adds.

Artists,once considered unapproachable loners,are increasingly reaching out to the audience through workshops,live painting sessions,informal interactions and Q&A sessions. They are not only showcasing their works but also using galleries and exhibition halls to connect with students and other art lovers. Among the pioneers in this respect is the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA),which has invited artists for exhibitions and lectures.

Goa-based Subodh Kerkar recently held an exhibition at LKA. Before the opening day,he also held a session in which he created a work with mussel shells on a platform of mud at the Government Museum and Art Gallery. As eager listeners crowded around,Kerkar talked about the process and inspiration of this work,the initial research and the final touches. “Gone are the times when only the work of an artist needed to be seen. I want to be in the middle of action,I need feedback and suggestions,” he says.

With the Chandigarh Arts College located adjacent to the Government Art Gallery and Museum,many students find these exhibitions a rewarding experience. At the recent sculpture camp,a large group of art students looked on as sculptor Latika Katt worked and and talked. “It’s my responsibility to reach out to the younger generation and not limit art to a niche audience,” said Katt.

Atul Dodiya,a well-known painter from Mumbai,spoke to 10 young artists who were part of an art workshop organised by LKA recently. The 51-year-old contemporary painter believes that interactive sessions with students are “a responsibility” and he likes to travel to smaller cities for such interactions.

“People in smaller cities have less exposure to art. Art lovers want to see original works,interact with artists and have access to better museums,” he says. At the workshop,Dodiya encouraged young artists to develop their own sensibilities. “Technique can be taught but art comes from within. I learned a lot by seeing other artists’ works and the world around me,” he says.