Mumbai’s Popular ‘Colours Of Life’, Which Has Been Virtual Since 2020, Features A Visual Narrative With The Theme: Art Brings Hope
Colours of Life – Art Brings Hope, a digital artwork exhibition-cum-sale to assist the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) showcases an eclectic combine of colors, textures and themes by 24 artists from throughout the nation. The 48 works on canvases present artistic insights into a visible narrative.
“The pandemic has caused devastating interruptions in the treatment for scores of cancer patients. Proceeds from this exhibition aim to provide them with continued assistance. The current situation keeps most of us homebound; we hope these paintings can provide visual respite, coupled with a sense of goodwill,” shares Shubha Maudgal of CPAA.
Art that spreads cheer and is lucid takes centre stage on the exhibition. “During these gloomy times, it is refreshing to see work that pulsates with life,” says Kolkata-based Sunirmal Maiti whose two works (of 24×20 inches and 13×16 inches) give attention to facial expressions with Nature within the background. Having studied artwork in Santiniketan and Baroda, Sunirmal’s drawings on COVID-19 are work in progress. “The drawings are incomplete as there is a tendency to become illustrative while working on a contemporary issue,” he says.
Sunirmal’s approach includes portray skinny layers of acrylics on canvas. “People often mistake it to be tempera art,” he provides.
From mythology to Baul artwork, artistes have explored totally different themes to create their very own tales. Nagpur-based Raghu Neware’s canvases draw inspiration from the simplicity of the terrain he grew up in. His ‘My works – Search of Eternity’ are based mostly on the feelings triggered by bodily places. “I try to paint those emotions,” he says, giving an instance of his reminiscences of Tadoba forest close to Nawargaon village. “I once spent hours observing the houses of the village from a nearby lake. I painted the landscape and whenever I look at the canvas, I feel relaxed as it reminds me of my six-year stay there.” Raghu has been exploring Nature for seven years now. “The elements of Nature change every year,” he explains.
‘Soul-Satisfying Work’
The Colours of Life exhibition has been an annual affair within the Cymroza gallery in Mumbai since 2005. “Cancer medicines had become more expensive and we had to look at different avenues to raise funds,” informs Shubha on how the artwork platform took place. Cymroza gallery founder Pheroza Godrej and senior artists, Gogi Saroj Pal and Ved Nayar have been motivated to start out the ‘Colours of Life’ initiative by Bengaluru CPAA director Sarla Kohli who died of lung most cancers. The exhibition has been named in her honour.
The digital exhibition started in 2020 with 136 artists showcasing round 294 artworks. “Artists felt small exhibitions have a better impact during a virtual viewing,” says Shubha. Based on the suggestions, the schedule has been altered to host solo and group present on alternate months.
“CPAA work has been soul-satisfying,” says Shubha, a doctorate from IIT Bombay who labored for 15 years at NASA, DRDO and Johnson & Johnson. When her mom handed away because of breast most cancers, she engaged with the platform and has since researched on the psycho-social problems with most cancers — the way it impacts sufferers, their households and siblings — offered papers, carried out workshops and now holds webinars to share experiences.
For Delhi-based artist Kumar Vikas Saxena, Nature is a predominant theme; a feminine determine depicts ‘swabhava: the real Nature.’ “The pandemic made us realise the importance of conserving the natural world,” says the artist who has used gold on a darkish background. He provides, “Gold signifies hope and light, to lead us through these tough days.”
Kumar has completed 12 works within the collection until now. “I took 25 days to finish one work. Every day we get to hear of someone passing away among our friends and relatives. It is impossible to be undisturbed in the current scenario,” says the artist who additionally writes poetry to precise his anger. “Keeping a positive mindset is tough but as a creative person I am using art to help others heal.”
There are additionally works by Jaipur-based Prabhu Dayal Verma, on Radha Krishna and Buddha, on classic stamp paper. The artist advocates preserving indigenous tradition and custom. “Intricate detailing is the uniqueness of these works,” says Raghu, who additionally designs handicrafts.
Kolkata-based Sekhar Roy performs an ode to West Bengal’s Baul people music as a part of his latest collection. He says, “I have been listening to Baul since I was a child. My uncle is a Baul singer who has travelled across the US, France and Bangladesh rendering this folk music.”
The show creates a visible deal with and has one thing for everybody.
