Exhibitions at Jehangir – Week 43 of 2023

Mumbai – 27^th October 2023

Week 43 of 2023: 24^th – 31^st Oct 2023

The exhibition plan at Jehangir Art Gallery this week has a lineup of seven new shows, of paintings and photography, with artists based at diverse locations across Mumbai, Karnataka, Dhule and several other places across India having diverse styles and themes in their artistic expressions. Here is a brief account of these captivating shows.

Auditorium Hall

Palette of perspectives – A group exhibition of paintings by six renowned artists from Karnataka Ganesha Somayaji, Giliyal Jayaram Bhat, Sharath Holla, Jayashri Sharma, Murlidhara Suvarna, and Dr Shivaprakash S M

Ganesha Somayaji’s landscapes and seascapes are steeped in realism and hyperrealism with complete control over the unforgiving medium of watercolours. He presents a panoramic view of the once idyllic and serene green and blue hues of the coastal belt, now rapidly losing their beauty to environmental damage associated with globalization. Through these paintings he addresses contemporary environmental issues through the lens of art, inspiring us to consider our role in its preservation.

Giliyal Jayaram Bhat has been creating art for nearly four decades as industrialist and artist; and his style, approach and zest for the craft has evolved from portraits and landscapes reflecting formal training to intense abstraction of landscapes and moods that depict compositions of uninhibited freedom. The artist seems to effortlessly create ‘industrial poetry’ on surfaces, his works revealing the beauty hidden within the man-made, industrial environments, making us reconsider our perception of landscapes. He presents a world which reflects our inner world landscapes in a language of the formless from his lived experiences and observations.

Sharath Holla presents figurative and landscape art that weaves between realism and abstraction. His art invites the viewer to embark on a captivating voyage through the art and history of landscapes, revealing the profound connection between nature, culture, and human perception. His works provide a glimpse into the multifaceted world of figurative painting and inspires a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the human form and landscapes that surround us.

Jayashri Sharma is a microbiologist, professor and self-taught artist, who lights up her canvases with delightfully moving figurative pieces that carry softness of the divine femininity in her works. Jayashri’s works aim to celebrate the diversity, complexity, and resilience of women through the lens of art. Through these artworks, we are reminded that the female figure is not merely a subject for art but a source of inspiration, strength, and empowerment. The use of nature as a focus in her paintings is noticeable and her strength lies in the painting’s ability to capture the beauty, complexity and interconnectedness of the natural world and the human form.

Muralidhara Suvarna, an expert in Geology and an artist presents his art in which these two seemingly diverse and unrelated fields intersect in fascinating ways. He uses the textures, patterns, and colours found in rocks, minerals, and landscapes to serve as a rich source of inspiration as a painter and designer. Realistic Indian art is a testament to the enduring spirit of Indian creativity, encapsulating the nation’s diverse heritage, traditions, and contemporary life. We see how the artist has realistically captured various facets of influences from the region of Kasargod and Mangalore.

Dr S M Shivaprakash, a PhD in in Fisheries, with his vast experience in art, education and travel explores the intimate connection between portraiture and the creative process. His experience in the fisheries department is reflected in his artworks that show an intersection of contemporary art and the animal kingdom. This collection showcases a diverse range of artistic perspectives and techniques, offering viewers a unique glimpse into the complex relationship between humans and animals in our rapidly changing world.

Exhibition Gallery 1

A solo exhibition of paintings by Shantaram K Sonawane

Shantaram K Sonawane is a Mumbai based senior artist and alum of Sir J J School of Art. He has over four decades of professional experience, with several group and solo shows. He is recipient of prestigious awards including Maharashtra State award for best painting, Best Art Teacher ‘Mahapaur Puraskar’ award and Camel Art award, among others. His paintings are in the collection of various government institutions and and private collectors in India and abroad. His works are inspired from simple observations of everyday sights and a deeper contemplation over the socio-economic, psychological, philosophical and spiritual aspects of human life arising from those simple observations.

Exhibition Gallery 2

‘क्षितिज’ (Kshitij – Horizon’) – A solo exhibition of Paintings by Jagannath Paul

Jagannath Paul is a Mumbai based artist graduated from Govt College of Arts & Craft, Kolkata, and has more than two decades of professional experience. He has more than 35 solo and group shows to his credit, in India and abroad. He has received prestigious awards from Bombay Art Society, Camiln, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata and Indian Society of Oriental Arts. Jagannath believes that the beauty in a painting originates from the geometry within its composition, that can be described in mathematical terms. The geometry follows a golden ratio which is the exact ratio measurement thought needed to achieve symmetry and beauty. He explains that he humbly attempts to execute the geometric magical shapes which showcase the circumstances, mindset and persona resembling the human relationship called ‘Eternal Love’.

Exhibition Gallery 3

‘अंतरंग’ (Antarang – Unveiling Hidden Cosmic Forces) A solo exhibition of paintings by Vijaykumar Pandav

Vijaykumar Pandav is a Mumbai based senior artist who enjoys a mastery over spiritual abstraction which he experiences in the form of powerful visions through focused contemplation on aspects of spirituality and philosophy of human existence. An alum of JJ School of Art, he has over three decades of industrial experience in the field of applied art which explains his command over multiple mediums. His energy filled vibrant canvases are an eloquent symphony of bold colours and dazzling strokes that have an ability to connect with the soul. His work resonates with the essence of the five natural elements, inviting communion with the universe.

Exhibition Gallery 4

‘Rustic Rhapsody’ A solo exhibition of paintings by Mohan Naik

Mohan Naik is a senior artist born, trained and based in the picturesque state of Goa. Mohan Naik’s art is a vivid portrayal of rustic Indian life which he inspires from his surroundings in Goa. He skillfully combines figurative aesthetics with the timeless theme of human association with livestock. His art is a timeless celebration of rural harmony. His evocative paintings are a window into a simpler, more genuine way of life, one that is steadily fading in the wake of modernization.  Moreover, he enjoys experimenting with colours, application techniques and modernizing the traditional art equipment. His flair for technology and innovation has led him to become the proud innovator of a remote controlled battery operated easel.

Hirji Gallery

‘Eka Sootachi Bhramanati’ (Voyage of a Thread) A solo exhibition of tapestry paintings by Bhatu Ashok Bhamare

Bhatu Ashok Bhamare is a textile artist working with fabric, wool and thread. He has expertise in Batik printing, tie and dye techniques and tapestry weaving. Bhatu holds a Diploma in textile weaving from Govt School of Art, Aurangabad and BFA in Textile Design from Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai. He won State Art Award for tapestry work thrice. He currently lives in Dhule where he works at School of Art, Dhule as Assistant Lecturer. Tapestry is an ancient form of textile art practiced all over the world but unfortunately is diminishing in modern day India. Bhatu’s practice is unique as he creates ‘Relief tapestry’ through techniques such as knitting, knotting, weaving, looping etc besides the use of conventional warp and weft technique. Bhatu creates figurative, landscape and abstract works in cotton and wool which are inspired by the rustic beauty of nature in rural villages.

Terrace Gallery

‘Shuttered Moments: A Celebration of India’s Diverse Perspectives’ is a group exhibition of photographs clicked by 13 young and talented photographers. It was inaugurated by none other than Padmashri Sudharak Olwe – the Photography Icon of India. This remarkable show is expertly curated by Utkarsh Sinha and Kiran Panzade, by drawing together the creative lenses of photographers from various corners of India. The participants are who’s who in the Indian photography community – Astha Singh, Pavitra Shettigar, Dr Arpit Bansal, Abhijit Chattopadhyay, Suhasini Ahluwalia Mehta, Debojeet Das, Kriti Aggarwal, Isha Agrawal, Anirudh Laxmipathy, Gaurav Kalbhor, Prateek Shroff, Anuj Medhavi, and Jui Deshmukh Singh, who have brought together their unique visions and stories.

Each photograph in the show is a testament to the rich natural, cultural and geographical diversity that the country has to offer. The primary focus of this exhibition is to promote and celebrate the work of these photographers and to make their art easily accessible to the public. Organizers have made available high quality posters starting INR 300/- and frames starting INR 3500/- for art lovers.

Art lovers can plan their visit to Jehangir Art Gallery to experience these wonderful exhibitions until 31^st October between 11 am and 7 pm.

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