‘Connecting’ art

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Tranquility in Green by Vijit Pillai

It is an art form that has been in existence since ages. Spiritual art has fascinated people and continues to fascinate many. Whether it was America’s propagation of the Tantrik art during the 1970s or the recent surge in the Buddha creatives — spiritual art is expanding beyond the niche circles of art market.

The recent art exhibition at Moment Mall in Delhi based on the theme of spirituality and Tarun Cherian’s exhibition A Piece of Heaven in Bengaluru — had many takers. Hyderabad-based Vijit Pillai is one such upcoming artist who is focused on creatives that connect with people’s inner self. Vijit’s Buddha created with mixed media is popular not just in the South but also in the capital, where he showcased some of his work. “I believe God and Goddesses are relevant to everyone’s life. But my creations had to cut across religion, culture and traditions. I chose to work on the Buddha because I am deeply inspired by Buddha Bar music and I haven’t seen much of Buddha creatives other than statues and sculptures,” says Vijit who creates layered pieces with photography, painting and graphic techniques.
But more important than the technique and process is what goes on in the artist’s mind. The optimism and the energy from the creator emanates through the artwork. Bengaluru-based Tarun Cherian is one such artist, whose work captivates the viewers and keeps them transfixed. “There have been instances when viewers have been overwhelmed by a deep sense of energy and power. A few have even termed it psychedelic but it isn’t. The idea is to let the energy flow to the person,” he says.
Though the art has been popular among new collectors and those who are spiritually inclined, art experts say it is not something that can be showcased at art symposiums. “It is not like contemporary art. A Buddha painting will not be sent to a biennale. But the icons are considered timeless and something that is evolving with time,” says Hemant Sreekumar, curator, W+K Exp. But these works are popular collectibles among all art enthusiasts. “The non-figurative, non-controversial, non-religious, apolitical and universal appeal makes the artworks exotic in some sense and that’s why this art form has remained popular,” says Johny ML, senior art critic and curator.