The Hindu : New Delhi News : Artists join hands to promote cultural ties

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Thursday, Mar 20, 2008
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Artists join hands to promote cultural ties

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Painting exhibition “Between the Seas” is an attempt at initiating dialogue between Oman and India

MASTER STROKE: One of Hassan Meer’s paintings on display at the Visual Arts Gallery of India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. He is one of the four artists from Oman who are exhibiting their works here.

NEW DELHI: For the first time, Delhi’s art circuit is getting an opportunity to see the works of four well-known artists from Oman through their exhibition, “Between the Seas”, at Visual Arts Gallery of India Habitat Centre here.

The artists have attempted to showcase their best works and also promote cultural ties between the two countries. The exhibition has been conceptualised by artist Radhika Hamlai and visualised by art consultant and curator Alka Pande.

Mixed works

The exhibition is aimed at initiating a dialogue with the viewer across the body of work presented and brings along a surprisingly fresh yet strong colour palette.

“The artists are surprisingly united in their diversity and artistic expressions as they retain their individuality. This eclectic presentation has it all — mixed media works from oils on canvas to abstracts, indigenous creations that reflect and capture the various nuances of Omani art. The exhibition attempts to celebrate the unbound free spirit, unfettered and liberated. Through their works, we are able to peek into a world of varied nuances through many windows,” says Alka.

Radhika, who has exhibited primarily in Oman so far, presents works that are an abstract narrative. Rich vibrant colours and textures combine to express a sense of personal spirituality involved in meditation.

Her new series exhibited at the show is titled “Freedom” and reflects her attitude towards her work and peace of mind. Radhika says her landscapes were inspired by the desert’s simplicity and the inherent beauty within its people who seemed to wear masks.

‘Country’s simplicity’

Adds Radhika: “I have been living in Oman for the past 12 years, since I got married and moved there from Ahmedabad. When I landed there, my whole world was upside down. From a world where I knew everyone, I was suddenly plunged into a world where I knew no one. But art being an integral part of my life, I was so inspired by the country’s simplicity that I started painting the amazingly beautiful landscapes and the inherent beauty within these people who wore masks. I worked with the local artists for more than five years and my only endeavour was to showcase their art in my country which is so vibrant.

“So here I am today to showcase their culture, which is a part of me now, to India and hence named the exhibition, ‘Between the Seas’, a link between these two countries, which has been there since years.” Apart from Radhika, the other artists – Anwar Sonya, Hassan Meer and Antje Manser – have also come together with their distinctive creations to create a global statement on art. Their creations are a multi-hued tapestry united by one common thread – the universal.

Examination of myths

Hassan’s unique work is a result of an intense examination of myths, beliefs and rituals within his culture, and is seemingly both a critique and a celebration of spiritual practices. A strong colour palette, Hassan’s creations are at once engaging.

Anwar is considered one of the founders of the fine art movement in Oman and has exhibited all over the world. Antje’s inimitable abstract paintings, inspired by light and music, are like a breath of fresh air, warm and caressing and a visual delight.

Altogether the exhibition is a stunning spectacle of artworks, spanning scale, form, size and texture. On view up to this Friday.

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