Creative Output

At the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum,several artworks are on display.

At the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum,several artworks are on display. Eighteen colourful images give a commentary on the journey of art – from cave paintings to modern art. But these perspectives don’t come from honed canvases. Conducted for the third time,this exhibition is an attempt to give participants a chance at creating art. “Many people do not take up art for they feel it’s quite challenging. But it is therapy and through this exhibition,I try to change their mindset,” shares artist Vaishali Oak,who is in charge of the workshop.

The two-day workshop takes participants through different views of art that have been cultivated over the centuries. An audio-visual presentation talks about its historical relevance. Experimentation is encouraged by use of different mediums,which gives an insight into the changes that this creative outlet has undergone. “In the presentation,we have various slides of master artists from India and abroad. I show them how basic elements are used in paintings. These are universal; the change is in the perspective,” says Oak who is an alumnus of Abhinav Kala Vidyalaya.

Conducted by Black Swan,this year the workshop will be held on March 17 and 18. “One reason we keep the workshop at the museum is that the place offers a lot of opportunity to learn. For example,when they see a Kalighat painting and how Jamini Roy evolved it into its contemporary skin,they understand inspirations. Or when they see ancient artwork and realise that a brush is not needed to paint at all,it gives them ideas to shun the stereotypical belief that pursuing art means a heavy monetary investment.”

The proceeds from the workshop will go towards developing the museum. “I have been visiting this place since my childhood. This is our way to contribute towards making the museum better. It also adds towards making it more interactive for museums can no longer be only display spaces; they need to talk to the visitors.

Post the workshop,the exhibition is held for three days. We sometime increase the duration,depending on the kind of response. But the idea is to bring people close to art,and through art close to the museum. The funds that we get through this are then used for the upkeep of the museum. There are several things like guide books and additional knowledge centres that this initiative helped create, says Sudhanva Ranade,director,Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum.

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