Journey on Canvas

After finishing his education in architecture in 1969,Chaney shifted to the UK. Though painting was always at the back of his mind,his profession kept him occupied even after his return to Pune in 1981. “About two years ago,I realised that if I keep putting off painting till later,it will never happen. Thus,I began painting in my spare time with water colours as a medium,” says Chaney,who admires works of artists such as Ronald Lee,Joseph Zubrick and city-based Milind Mullick.

Around two months ago,following the suggestion of an artist friend,Chaney decided to exhibit his works. “Trav-e-logue”,his debut painting exhibition will be inaugurated on November 10 at Ayatana Art Gallery,next to Golibar Maidan Chowk,Camp.

“The 40 paintings on display at the exhibition describe the places I have visited with my wife in the past four decades which includes Israel,Spain,Japan,Italy and Lebanon,” he says. All the paintings have been created by Chaney in the last two years. While some are based on old sketches and pen-and-ink drawings,others are based on the photographs he clicked on his many trips around the world.

Chaney says his architecture background helped to an extent. “An architect draws day in and day out so having a background in architecture helps you draw more than paint. An artist draws with emotions whereas an architect does the same with detailing,” he says.

This very detailing reflects in each of his paintings. For instance,in 1975,the couple were in Spain and had gone to watch a bull fight. So one of the paintings depicts a matador,dressed in yellow attire,provoking the bull with a piece of red cloth. Then there is a painting based on fox hunting. The painting shows participants riding horses — called field hunters — being led by several hounds walking in the front. Chaney says fox hunting,which originated in the UK in the 16th century,involves tracking,chasing and sometimes even killing of a fox.

“My painting is based on a photograph I clicked during Christmas time in 1976,when we were in England. Someone had invited us to watch fox-hunting,” he explains.

The works are on display till Nov 13