Bharat Bhawan — the popular multi-arts complex in Bhopal — is attracting discerning citizens, who are coming in droves to watch and appreciate the Shimeesha Art Exhibition at the Rupankar Art Gallery.
The art exhibition, showcasing the creative talent of more than three-dozen artists from seven different states, began on November 22 and will conclude on November 25.
Shimeesha is an organisation based in Baroda that organises art exhibitions across the country and provides a platform to the talented young artists looking for an opportunity to showcase their work. They organised their first exhibition in Bhopal last year. Those spearheading Shimeesha say that their main intent is that they want the profile of highlighted artists to grow, as they try to make their mark in the fast paced and cynical world that has perhaps little to offer them. Aditya Vikram, the mastermind behind Shimeesha says that they do not have financial stakes or interests in this endeavour; it is a purely emotional project born out of their sheer love for art. Shimeesha introduces the artists and their creativity by stating: “Each piece of art has a fascinating tale to tell. From the initial emotional stir which leads to its inception till the final piece is ready, an artist’s internal journey is just as alluring as the piece itself.”
The exhibits on display — abstract, surrealistic and figurative paintings and sculptures — are quite a treat for any connoisseur of art. All the artists, who are displaying their work at this exhibition, part of the Rupaabh series, are young and have boldly used their creative talent. There are young accomplished artists like Arti Paliwal, who has chosen to use sculpture as a medium of expression and Pankaj Kumar Singh, a post-graduate student of fine art at Benaras Hindu University, who are excited by the opportunity, exposure and appreciation they are getting with their work now on display. What stands out in this exhibition is the perfect mix of lines, depth, space and colour in some paintings, while few others stick to the minimalist medium and leave a lasting visual impact by eliminating all that is non-essential. The exhibits are not loud, but many of them have a dream-like quality; this was particularly reminiscent in Hemant Rao’s Butterfly.
The artists attending the exhibition are all praise for the audience. However, one of them, said on condition of anonymity, that people spend a lot on materialistic acquisitions, branded goods and non-essentials, but it is still a long way to go when more and more people would come forward and patronise the arts, that unfortunately still goes unrecognised. The tragedy is that some paintings fetch millions of dollars in auctions abroad whereas there are so many other artists, who go unsung, as they are never recognised by the society. Even the media builds hype around celebrities and most of the art critics keep writing with blinkers on, he added.