Journalism of Courage
We wanted to work with the theme of good luck in a season filled with religious festivities, says Munira Soni,an art consultant with Samsara,which has brought together works of 20 artists from across India at Either Or Galleria in an exhibition titled Strokes of Luck.
Although the exhibitions title may suggest a restricted scope,the paintings portray a wide mix of themes from portraits of Buddha and mystical musings to Hindu mythology,totems and superstitions. The works are pleasant manifestations of the artists metaphysical beliefs executed in a contemporary fashion.
The wall which hosts Sachdevs Buddha has Mumbai-based Dileep Sharmas nimbu-mirchi totem at its left end. Sharma,a printmaker by training,was vexed by the limited hues his trade allowed him to play with. So he quit printmaking in 2004 and sought asylum in the colourful worlds of pop art and kitsch. Nimbu-mirchi exemplifies his body of work.
It is said to ward off evil but still most of us dont react to it pleasantly. Through this work,I wanted to portray it as a commonplace motif in the Indian way of life, says Sharma.
Delhi-based Seema Kohli showcases the concept of Ardhanarishwara from Hindu mythology. Ardhanarishwara symbolises the balance of life. Oriental philosophy sees it as yin and yang,Hinduism as Shiva and Shakti. It is a force,half man-half woman,which is the source of all creation and consciousness, says Kohli,who has represented her perception in her painting.
Strokes of Luck is on at Either Or Galleria,Sohrab Hall,
till August 25
