Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Where would you find ceramic dragons, tribal symbols and fibre glass sculptures in one place? Where else, but at vis-a-vis, Khirki, which has its latest exhibition on till April 15. 8220;We always try and bring various aspects of art and design together,8221; says Amit Gupta of vis-a-vis, referring to the exhibition with Arun Pandit8217;s sculptures, Dinesh Kumar Ram8217;s paintings and Gina Franklin Gupta8217;s high temperature stoneware. 8220;Arun8217;s intensity, Dinesh8217;s luminosity and Gina8217;s subtle humour, showcased together, exemplify this.8221;
Pandit and Kumar, who studied together in Patna and then at the Delhi College of Art, have also done many exhibitions together. Pandit, who has been experimenting with moulds for the past year, has nine of his works titled Engraved Expressions on display. 8220;Art is about what inspires you, touches your heart and moulds your mind,8221; says this sculptor who works in mixed media. Deeply affected by his aunt8217;s death, he used nails in his work to depict the pain and suffering of death, inspired by a ritual where needles are hammered in the feet to prevent the spirit from returning.
Gupta who8217;s mother-in-law is artist Satish Gupta8217;s sister, has a varied and delightful range of high temperature stoneware she fires the clay twice. 8220;This is my first exhibition after five years,8221; says this ceramic artist, who works only during the winter months, and does everything from mixing the clays to hand-building the pieces, to glazing them 8212; all on her own. Murals with scenes from the Panchatantra, grinning dinosaurs, shell-like bowls 8212; her collection 8212; Birds and Beasts 8212; is sparked with the piquant titles she chooses. Sitting Ducks vase with two ducks perched on top, the Famous Couples series like the alligator and the monkey and Tina Turkey a trussed-up turkey showing-off her legs. 8220;I have a lot of fun working and enjoy anticipating what will come out of the kiln,8221; she beams, saying the titles come to her quite spontaneously.
8220;Our artists are like family,8221; says Hardeep Gupta, adding that vis-a-vis goes well beyond the accepted role of galleries, even helping their artists out with financing, 8220;We like to build a relationship and so that we can grow together.8221;
