Glimpses of “Visual Confluence” group art exhibition

“Visual Confluence” was a group art exhibition held at Ishii Gallery in Varanasi from May 18th to May 22nd, 2023. The exhibition featured the works of 15 art teachers from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, representing seven divisions across India, including Varanasi, Ranchi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Raipur, Delhi, and Bhopal. Additionally, six local contemporary artists also participated in the exhibition.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Ajay Kumar Mishra, Commissioner of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Varanasi Division. Distinguished guests at the inaugural session were principals and vice principals from various educational institutions in Varanasi including the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Kendriya Vidyalayas, as well as renowned artists and art commentators. The art gallery at BHU, Varanasi, Ram Chhath Par Shilp Nyas, also had a dignified presence at the event.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Ajay Kumar Mishra, Commissioner of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Varanasi Division. Distinguished guests at the inaugural session were principals and vice principals from various educational institutions in Varanasi including the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Kendriya Vidyalayas, as well as renowned artists and art commentators. The art gallery at BHU, Varanasi, Ram Chhath Par Shilp Nyas, also had a dignified presence at the event.

The participant art teachers and artists were Ajay Mishra – Tonk (Rajasthan), Ajay Kumar – Siliguri (WB), Ashok Verma – Bhopal (MP), Avinash Kaur – Indore (MP), Jaya Lalge – Indore (MP), Kaushalesh Kumar – Varanasi (UP), Neha Chauhan – Dhar (MP), Pankaj Sharma – Varanasi (UP), Pooja Raj – New Delhi, Rajeev Gupta – Gwalior (MP), Raunak Rai – Karera (MP), Sajit Minj – Ranchi (Jharkhand), Sandeep Kar – Singtam (Sikkim), Shanti Kumar Tirkey – Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), Soumendra Sarkar – Kolkata (WB). The local contemporary artists from Varanasi who participated were Anil Sharma, Dr. Sunil Vishwakarma, Manati Sharma, Sahib Ram Tudu, Vijendra Mahli and Praveen.

A one-day National painting camp was organized at Namo Ghat, Varanasi as part of the five-day program, which provided an immersive experience for art lovers. In the painting camp, each artist showcased their unique skills and provided a glimpse into their individual artistic journeys. Throughout the exhibition, visitors had the opportunity to appreciate the diverse artistic styles and techniques of the participating teachers and artists.

On May 21^st, Dr. Devendra Tripathi, Secretary of the Regional Office of National Academy of Fine Arts in Lucknow, attended the exhibition as the chief guest. He praised and congratulated all the artists, engaging in discussions about their subject matter and techniques.

The closing ceremony on May 22^nd featured Dr. Subhash Yadav, Regional Archaeological Officer from the Department of Culture, Uttar Pradesh, as the chief guest. Dr. Yadav emphasized the importance of contemporaneity and technology in art and nature. The ceremony also included senior artist Mr. Premchandra Vishwakarma, who delivered a detailed speech on art.

“Visual Confluence” provided a platform for art teachers and contemporary artists to showcase their talents, promoting artistic exchange and collaboration. The exhibition celebrated the convergence of different artistic visions and perspectives, creating a visually stimulating experience for all attendees.