Time Tested

Amongst the other works presently on display internationally,are those of a saint offering his prayers through dance,at the Open Doors Mail Art Exhibition in Argentina,and that of a mirage in the sand,at the Mail Art Postcard Exhibition in USA. “It has been a difficult journey. There was a lot of rejection but slowly,everything fell into place,” he says.

Manu goes back in time to talk about his international debut at the Visual Aid’s ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ art show in 2007,which was organised at the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Gallery,at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center.

Consequently,his entries were selected at other prestigious international events,something Manu did not expect when he first exhibited his works in India in 2003.

“I mostly rely on religio-classic and ecclesiastical imagery. I use art as a medium to express feelings,perspectives and ideas visually,” he says,showcasing his works complete with techniques such as intaglio,monotype lithography,serigraphy and relief printmaking.

His works bring out an element of hope,the zeal to celebrate life and to survive against all odds. “These portray the journey of my life. Suffering from cerebral palsy of the lower limbs since birth,as a child,I would always sit quietly in a corner. Today,when I sit in front of my computer,I try to share all that which went into my making,” he says.

Talking about one of his favourite paintings — that of a child as he extends his hands in prayer,for love,acceptance and blessings — he says,“This painting,along with a select others,got me the state honour,the Punjab Praman Patra award,in 2010.” But awards don’t give him as much happiness and peace as the journey of creating his works does…

Mandeep Singh Manu will be hosting a workshop at Government College of Arts,Sector 10,from September 25 to 30