The Hindu : New Delhi News : Changing forms of life on canvas

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 18, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Changing forms of life on canvas

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: A weeklong solo exhibition of paintings in mixed media by artist Sanjeev Verma opens at Open Palm Court of India Habitat Centre here on Friday.

Titled "Chrysalis: An Artist's Transformation", the paintings on large canvases portray abstract forms. All the works have been made with acrylics and other water-soluble media.

Verma has been painting in mixed media on paper since1997. However, for this exhibition he made a transition from paper to canvas to create artistic impressions.

For him life is a constant motion -- different forms always transforming into something else. "Life is a play of shades and changing forms. Rain turns into sunshine, autumn turns into spring, dusk transforms into dawn and tears turn into smiles. Transformation is inevitable and smooth. An artist also transforms every time a blank canvas presents itself before him. And the transformation is as complete, beautiful and liberating as the chrysalis," says Verma, who has been deeply inspired by nature.

With the passage of time, Verma's works have become increasingly minimal. He allows only a dab or two of paint to portray simple forms that add unique depths to his compositions. Be it the last glow of the moon or the sun shining before being partially eclipsed by clouds, each work captures an unfolding moment. Lines reverberate in his work. The artist also examines the fragile juxtaposition of the natural world and the modern man in his latest exhibition.

Over the years, Verma has worked in various materials including wood, bronze, metal and ceramics. Incidentally, his first solo show was also here in the Capital. He has also participated in group shows in Tokyo and Kolkata.

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