Its Elemental

Pawar’s artistic language relies a lot on symbolism. Every frame in the current exhibition sports a circular shaped motif. “It represents water and earth,” says Pawar. “The roots symbolise growth,the triangle represents the male and the female form,depending on its inclination.” The form of Buddha intends to speak of peace,while the visage of Krishna communicates the idea of music in life through his flute.

Pawar’s need to set his work apart from the rest also encouraged him to look at colours differently. “I have used a lot yellows to brighten up the frames. Red is generally perceived to be harsh and a sign of danger. But I believe it can be a soft shade too,like a rose,” he says. The spray-painted colours on his canvases,made using an airbrush,lend the paintings a dreamy quality that regular brushes couldn’t have.

Pawar has used charcoal,watercolours,oils and other mediums earlier,before settling with acrylic. His works have fetched him multiple awards,and exhibition opportunities in Pune,Mumbai,South Africa,New York,Logos,London,Singapore and the Netherlands. His preoccupation with nature took root when he was the principal of Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya,Pune,for nine years,and he admits that it will continue to dominate his ideas in future too. “But I cannot be sure of what form it will take. It is difficult to pre-decide and start a painting,” he says.

The Five Elements of Nature will be on at Malaka Spice from 11:00am to 11:00pm,till December 15.