Moving Pictures

On display were over a 100 artworks,from the 1970s to the present. Conceived over four years ago,the show titled ‘A Mythical Universe’ is touted as a semi-retrospective,and has apart from the artist’s recent work,an old series borrowed from collectors. “This will enable people to look at the evolution of my work,” says Burman,49,who has experimented with sculptures in this exhibition. There is Ganesha seated with Parvati,and in another Shiva looks over Parvati,with his hands on her hand. “It’s a new medium for me,but I intend to continue with it,” says Burman.

Among the works on the wall are sketches that are an outcome of the numerous trips that Burman has taken to Shantiniketan and a recent set with drawings of sculptures from Khajuraho temples. While the Varanasi ghats provide a backdrop for several watercolours,on the forefront Burman has a leitmotif of water creatures and mythical figures alongside gods and goddesses,that has been a constant in her work. She plays with figures. If Hanuman gets whiskers,a peaceful Buddha is surrounded by pigeons. “The reference comes from storytelling sessions that I had with my father during childhood,” smiles Burman,who hails from a family of artists,which includes husband Paresh Maity,uncle Sakti Burman and cousin Maya.

Recognition came in the early 1980s,with a series of shows in Kolkata and in 1987,Burman was at the International Triennale,Intergraphic,in Germany. The stores,meanwhile,already have details of her life and art penned in an Ina Puri edited book which was also released during the exhibition opening.

The exhibition at Lalit Kala is on till January 19,and then moves to Art Alive Gallery,Panchsheel Park.

Contact: 41639000