On the wings of art
RANA SIDDIQUI
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Donovan T. Wodehouse can be safely regarded as a promising artist on the horizon. He is showing his detailed works in New Delhi.
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ARRIVED, FINALLY Donovan T. Wodehouse with his vintage car painting.
The recent Christie auction in New Delhi proved that the West is looking forward to Indian abstract works. But that hardly deters a neo-painter like Donovan T. Wodehouse. He still swears by realistic images on the canvas having a photographic quality.
Donovan, not yet a name to reckon withis quite promising. And then, apart from individual curators and old and new art galleries, there are corporate houses as The Chivas Art Experience, which are plunging into the art sector to promote them. So, this Darjeeling-born and bred corporate professional-turned artist Donovan was just lucky to have been discovered by Chivas and curator Rahul Bhattacharya. He got a chance to exhibit 28 realistic works at Shangri-La hotel this past week. And is now showing his works at Arpana Arts Gallery.
Donovan's works are a refreshing change from the oft-repeated market-driven canvases. Ramshackle vintage cars, a dilapidated locked door, a zealously-preserved lamp hanging on a broken wall, etc., have as much nostalgic value as his portrayal of women in Elements in Portrait and Obsession series is mystery-stricken. Then there is Halloweens series that is a combo of realism and abstract. It attempts to turn sounds into colours. His Echoing Faces series is an interesting mix of ideas and hues. He has used sheets of tin to apply acrylic and oil in it. It gives the idea of beautiful masks from which the paint is peeling off.
The Hesitant Trust series is reflection of poverty-stricken children in the hills. Their eyes are brimming with tears and their faces exude wonder and confusion. Such expressions are quite difficult to depict but Donovan's dexterity with brush brings them alive.
Thought provoking
For a visual feast Donovan's devastated vintage car series titled Peepholes is the best of the lot. But idea-wise his Elements in Portrait, that portrays a rustic, old woman from the hills against the important elements, viz., earth, water, air and fire, is worth mentioning.
According to the element used, he changes the hue and look of the canvas. For instance, in the picture depicting the element of water, the women's outfit is drenched and in the element of air, her clothes attempt to hold on against the gusty wind. Each of these oil works, interestingly, seems like a digitally manipulated image.
Says an enthusiastic Donovan, still uncomfortable with the newly acquired status of an `artist', "I have not been trained formally in any college of art.So I stll fail to understand what `modern art' is. My expertise lies in detailing and faces. I love to work on tough things which pose a challenge for me. I can't paint what people want me to. So I am just not suited for commissioned works."
Donovan who "couldn't grow" in hospitality industry as an employee because of artistic calling, gave up several cushy jobs to take up brush and paint two years ago. All this in the face of family resistance.
"Now all are supportive for they also realise that it is better to be a first class artist than a third class employee," he says with a smile.
The exhibition has shifted to Arpana Fine Arts Gallery and will be on view till this coming Sunday.
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