Exhibitions at Jehangir – Week 49 of 2023

Mumbai – 7^th  December 2023

Week 49 of 2023: 5^th – 11^th Dec 2023

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The exhibition plan at Jehangir Art Gallery this week has an interesting bouquet of five new solo shows, and one group show. All the six shows together present a rich and diverse mix of paintings. From young to experienced, each artist represents their own diverse styles and themes in their artistic expressions. Here is a brief on of all these captivating shows.

Auditorium Hall

‘Wovenscapes’

An exhibition of hand-woven tapestry art by Dinesh Kurekar.

Dinesh Kurekar, is a distinguished textile artist based at Aurangabad, graduated in Textile Design from Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai. With a rich background in Mumbai’s textile art scene, he has devoted 35 years to the Textile Department at Government Art College, Aurangabad, serving as both Professor and Department Head. Revered by avid art lovers and esteemed collectors globally, Kurekar’s unique works adorn prized collections in India and beyond.

Kurekar’s ingenuity shines through as he transforms traditional hand-weaving techniques into a modern composition painting. Dyed with natural colors, the attractive woolen threads come alive in intricate patterns, showcasing the artist’s profound imagination. With over 30 years of tireless effort, Kurekar masterfully weaves geometrical and naturalistic shapes that evoke mystical feelings and unfold like visual poetry. Each piece is a reflection of the artist’s elegant vision, offering audiences a thrilling visual experience. Drawing inspiration from the five elements of nature – Earth (Prithvi), Water (Aap), Fire (Tej), Air (Vayu), and Ether (Aakash) – Kurekar’s creations unravel the mysterious secrets of existence through soft hues and textured mediums.

Exhibition Gallery 1

‘City Soul Serenity’

A solo exhibition show of paintings by Gurudas Shenoy.

Gurudas Shenoy is a renowned artist, curator and founder of Shenoy Art Foundation based in Bengaluru. His illustrious career spans over three decades after graduating from M S University, Baroda. He has participated in more than 200 solo and group exhibitions so far. Shenoy is known for his vibrant cityscapes and abstract landscapes.

‘City Soul Serenity.’ unfolds in three distinct series, each contributing to the tapestry of Shenoy’s creative brilliance. The ‘City’ series captures the essence of both urban and rural landscapes, offering a visual journey through diverse terrains. ‘Soul’ delves into the spiritual, beckoning viewers on an introspective odyssey—a virtual portal to the human spirit. ‘Serenity’ achieves a harmonious equilibrium, gracefully balancing the tranquility within Shenoy’s home with the vibrant external world. Collectively, these paintings evoke a profound sense of calm and balance, inviting contemplation on the often-overlooked beauty of everyday moments.

Exhibition Gallery 2

‘Spectrum’

A solo exhibition of drawings and paintings by Prakash Bhise.

Prakash Bhise, alumnus of J J School of Art, presents an array of abstract paintings and drawings, marking Bhise’s four-decade-long career. A senior artist and former professor at the Raheja School of Art in Mumbai, Bhise’s artistic journey has been an exploration of diverse artistic styles, with a transition towards abstract art. His keen awareness of social issues, cultivated through years of activism, finds expression on canvas, making his artwork a commentary on the human experience. He has presented several solo and group shows spanning over the past four decades in India and abroad, in countries including Holland, Germany and Bangladesh.

The “Spectrum” exhibition presents his abstract paintings, which reflect a two-dimensional quality inspired by India’s traditional miniature painting legacy. Bhise attributes this unique style to the intense sunlight in India, emphasizing lines and shapes on canvas. The “Spectrum” exhibition serves as a canvas of life experiences, exploring diverse textures and themes such as human emotions, nature’s beauty, and the direct impact of global events.

Exhibition Gallery 3

‘Spandan’

A solo exhibition of paintings by Ramkrishna Kamble

Ramkrishna Dattatraya Kamble is a proud alumnus of J J School of Art with about four decades of career span. He is recipient of several awards including Lifetime Achievement award from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapith, Pune. Over the last decade, the artist has devoted his life exploring various perspectives and meanings of life from the love essence of Radha and Krishna.

In ‘Spandan’, the artist dives deep into the psychological aspects of the emotions and the love life of Radha and Krishna wherein he treats them as human beings with undefined power of love and dharma within them, and brings out their subtle and rhythmic expressions. Yogesh Ramkrishna mentions in his curatorial note, – “In this world of instant-changing behaviours and mindsets, fragile relations, devotions and interactions, what is the thing that acquires eternity? Ramkrishna Kamble attempts to find the answers to these questions in the oldest realm of Radha-Krishna.”

Exhibition Gallery 4

‘Padma’

A solo exhibition of paintings by Digvijay Dattatray Kumbhar

Digvijay Dattatray Kumbhar is a young artist based at Tuljapur in Maharashtra. He predominantly works with watercolors and also in oil colour medium. He has participated in various exhibitions across India and won several awards.

The show titled ‘Padma’ is a visual representation of Lotus flower, which according to the artist is a forbearer of the human emotions. He further points out that this flower inspires him for deeper exploration as it remains pure and beautiful despite its muddy surroundings, which gives a positive lesson to humans. Through the 30 paintings of lotus flowers in this show, the artist has also experimented with the play of light and shadow, forms and formlessness, finally evolving from figurative expression to abstraction.

Hirji Gallery

‘The Journey of Four’

A group exhibition of paintings by four artists from College of Fine Art at Chopda in Maharashtra – Jitendra Ashok Salunke, Virendra Rangarao Sonawane, Dhanraj Shivaji Patil and Laxmikant Pundlik Sonawane.

Jitendra Ashok Salunke

Jitendra Ashok Salunke is based at Pune and holds ATD, BFA and Art Master qualifications. He has been actively participating in exhibitions since the past 15 years as well as has published over 800 drawings in leading magazines in Marathi and Hindi. He has received Chhandashri Award for cover design. He is inspired by human life and its predicaments while creating his art.

Virendra Rangarao Sonawane

Virendra Rangarao Sonawane is based in Mumbai and holds Art ATD, GD Art and Art Master qualification. He has been participating in Art Shows and competitions for the past two decades and has won awards for art as well as Best Teacher award and Hichakki Teacher Award by Camlin. He is inspired by nature and social issues and its reflection in the human society, which he expresses through metaphors of plants and animals.

Dhanraj Shivaji Patil

Dhanraj Shivaji Patil is based in Mumbai and holds ATD and Art Teacher qualification. He has been participating in exhibitions and art competitions since past 15 years. He has won several awards for sketching, landscape and poster art. He is inspired by nature and its eternal relationship with the human condition, which he has presented in two series on Nature as the major theme.

Laxmikant Pundlik Sonawane

Laxmikant Pundlik Sonawane is based at Dhule in North Maharashtra, and holds ATD, GD Art, Art Education Diploma qualification. He has been participating in exhibitions and art competitions for the past two decades. He is recipient of several awards including Art Teacher award, Kala Ratna and Kala Gaurav award. He is a keen observer of the pain and suffering of humans and animals around him, and he also thinks deeply about abstract concepts of atheism and theism and the constant battle between them.

Art lovers can plan their visit to Jehangir Art Gallery to experience these wonderful exhibitions until 11^th December between 11 am and 7 pm.

Location: Jehangir Art Gallery, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001