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The speaking tree
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Artist Arundhati Vartak says every tree has its own character, personality and unique charm
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GREEN CALL Arundhati Vartak says her intention is to make people see beauty in even the most common of trees
"Indian artist Arundhati Vartak has a special perspective on trees," wrote Mary Thomas, Post-Gazette art critic, when 40 of her watercolours were displayed at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University.
"Coupled with the aesthetic is an underlying botanical accuracy that comes from hours of field observation... The resultant work is a portrait, not simply a depiction or a decorative piece... Laced with symbolism, cultural references and expressive colour, Vartak's paintings speak most fully to those with the cultivation and sensitivity to recognise all of her nuanced references."
James J. White, Curator of Art, Hunt Institute, articulated similar sentiments when he said: "Not only does she present a fascinating diversity of trees, but also studies of individual specimens depicted at various times of day and season with their accompanying birds and animals. For me, the more of them I see, the more I want to see."
Back home, Kalpana Desai, Director, Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai, feels that Arundhati in her works combines the perception of a miniaturist and technique of a modern artist. "Her knowledge of the classical Sanskrit poetic literature, the myths and legends connected with the trees, as well as of Indian folklore, has added a dimension to her understanding of nature around us," says Dr. Desai. "This is expressed through the subtle symbolism introduced at times through colours or through surrounding elements in her paintings."
On her part, Arundhati believes that a tree "has its own character, personality and peculiar charm". The 48-year-old, Pune-based artist adds: "It has a power to influence the surroundings and people with that charm."
Arundhati has held several one-person exhibitions and her paintings were featured in the Hunt Institute's 8th International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration (1995/96) and The Shirley Sherwood Collection of Contemporary Botanical Artists.
Small format
Seven of her paintings are currently on display in the city in an exhibition titled The Charm Of Trees. Rendered in small format, the paintings are delicately marked impressions of common trees. If the peepal tree is captured in the cool morning hour with cheerful sparrows on it, the copper pod tree stands regally with its striking yellow flowers. The mango ("a perfect tree") is full of juicy fruit, while the babul has a few goats grazing in the vicinity. The coral tree, with its scarlet blooms, is rendered rather dramatically with a dense background. The cannonball tree, with drooping branches carrying full-grown fruit, also form part of the show.
Quite evidently, the most impressive painting is the tamarind tree portrayed with a peacock perched on its branches, and a couple of peahen roaming in its shade.
Arundhati has no qualms about the stylised rendering or the profusion of decorative elements in her works. She says her intention is to make people realise the beauty and charm present even in common trees which are to be found everywhere. "Especially in a beautiful city like Bangalore!"
The exhibition is on till April 14 at Vermilion House, Cleveland Road Cross, Frazer town. For details, call Uma Rao on 98440-15051 or Bina Rao on 98454-43802.
ATHREYA
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