[1]The FMG group of instuitions held its first Annual art exhibition recently, with a concomitant competition in which six awardees were chosen for Golden Pigeon awards from 400 entries. Interestingly, very established and senior artists along with younger ones were represented.
One of the best works seen in the show is a steel sculpture, Beginning of Words by Ghazanfar Zaidi that is made of calligraphy wrought in metal. Islamic art has always emphasised the significance of letters and words through the use of Arabesque as ornamentation in architecture and painting both. The word as revealed by Allah to the Prophet and the brethren is seminal to the formation of religious and social identities. Harf in Arabic, Logos in Latin and Shabd in Sanskrit mark the emergence of Creation from the Uncreate. It is no wonder that Zaidi has chosen to use stark imagery of just the words to recreate the magic and wonder that the first words, language and expression kindled .in mankind. The crystallisation of memory and the chain of communication can be seen in the work, as the intertwined letters talk to the viewer of the Word.
Sukhwinder Singh justaposes impassive faces; rounded and alien, with the bright buntings and shamiana in the background suggesting celeberation. The cubist treatment and subdued colours create a sombre image in the work.
Abstract cubes balanced atop each other shine with inner luminosity in Vijayata Bhambri’s Search. The show reveals the depth of artistic skills in non metropolitan centres such as Orissa and Jharkhand with finely crafted sculptures such as that of a harmonium made out of marble that is so realistically wrought that one is tempted to play it.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/tab2jpg-555