National Artist Camp Commemorates Gaitonde Birth Centenary at Goa

Goa, 22^nd November

In a celebration of artistic brilliance and for paying a tribute to the legendary abstract painter Padmashri Vasudeo Gaitonde, National Artist Camp was organized at the Bambolkar Art Gallery in Goa from 15^th to 19^th November, 2023. Organized by the Dinanath Dalal Memorial Art Education Centre (DDMAEC) in collaboration with the Directorate of Art & Culture, Government of Goa, this unique event marked the Birth Centenary year of the iconic painter. DDMAEC conducts extensive activities focused on propagating admiration for art.

The camp was inaugurated on 15^th November by Dr. Nitin Borkar (Scientist & Director, Plantify Laboratories), while Shri Ninad Deshpande of Artorium, Panaji was invited as the Guest of Honour.  Shri. Sagun Velip, Director of Art & Culture, Govt of Goa presided over the inaugural function.

Artists from across the nation congregated to pay homage to Gaitonde’s legacy, exploring the realms of abstract art during this immersive five-day camp. The event aimed to foster a collaborative spirit among artists, providing them with a platform to share insights, techniques, and inspiration. The Bambolkar Art Gallery, known for its commitment to promoting contemporary art, served as the perfect backdrop for this creative convergence.

The participating artists were – Sharadchandra Tarde, M. J. Banglewale, Suchita Tarde, Nirupa Naik, Shrinivas Shastri, Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar, Siddharth Pradeep Gaitonde, Dilesh Hazare, Kalidas K Satardekar, Naguesh Rao Sardessai, Sagar Naik Mule, Anant Kamat Bambolkar and Amrutha Shenoy.

The camp concluded on 19^th November in a concluding session in the august presence of Shri. Govind Gaude – Hon’ble Minister for Art & Culture, Minister for Sports, Govt. of Goa, and Prof Ugank Naik – Asst. Professor at Goa University as Guest of Honour.

The National Artist Camp was successfully organized by the core committee of three members consisting of Shri Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar (President & Coordinator of Artist Camp), Shri Naguesh Rao Sardessai (Artist & Joint Coordinator) and Ms. Gautami Hede Bambolkar (Secretary, DDMAEC)

The camp not only showcased diverse artistic expressions but also facilitated a dialogue on the evolution of abstract art in India. Participants engaged in workshops, discussions, and live demonstrations, enriching the artistic community with a deeper understanding of Gaitonde’s contributions to the genre. As the camp concluded, it left behind a legacy of shared creativity and a renewed appreciation for the transformative power of abstract art in the Indian cultural landscape.