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Palette of strokes and stitches
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`Brush with fashion' at Oorja illustrates the `fusion' of art and fashion - the paintings of Anjani Reddy and the couture of Kiran Uttam Ghosh.
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SUBTLE LOOK: Elegant suit in bright hues.
IT WAS a confluence of a different kind - one where strokes of paint synthesised with stitches on fabrics, where two artists (of different genres) coalesced to produce a `fusion' of art and fashion. Kiran Uttam Ghosh, fashion designer based in Kolkata and Anjani Reddy, an artist of Hyderabad are the principal players in this rendezvous - `A brush with fashion' - at Oorja (Model House, Punjagutta).
The canvases provide the backdrop for the couture. The paintings and the garments juxtaposed with each other present an almost perfect compliment as though both the artist and designer have worked in tandem. On speaking to them you realise they have not. So how is this blend come about? "Courtesy technology," says Kiran, the woman behind the Kimono label. "Anjani sent me the photos of her paintings on a CD and I sent her swatches of colours and fabrics and we worked independently thereafter," says Kiran." " In fact most of the paintings I sent on the CD were old and some of them had been sold," chips in Anjani. Yet, the blending is almost perfect. Both feel it is coincidental.
ART-FASHION RENDEZVOUS: Kiran Uttam Ghosh (left) and Anjani Reddy.
The underlying and inspirational theme of the show is the woman. While Anjani fills her canvas portraying the various moods of the women, Kiran coutures creations in myriad fabrics. Both have a bright colour palette. `My preoccupation with bright colour schemes incorporating decorative elements to create textural delights of aesthetic order has resulted in this unique combination," says Anjani who has been painting women for many years. Bold figures, bright colours characterise the woman who mainly form the narrative in the works. The decorative element is predominant and the scenes are from everyday life. The aspect of shringar is a common feature in some of the works. Besides the woman theme there are two cityscapes as well coordinated with Kiran's garments.
Kiran likes to create classic garments, which have a timeless appeal as she says "people should get value for money." So I would like them to wear it over the years." Her garments have evolved over the last six years - concomitantly with her growth - from an initial start to the development of confidence in her own work. "Today the woman too is confident and independent and wants to make a statement," she says making clothes with that in mind. In that sense, both the creations are `autobiographical'. So there is classic and `pret' stuff - the latter more for the women who is a little daring and trendy.
NEW LINE: All silk grandeur by Kimono.
Although both Anjani and Kiran worked separately colour is a common theme. Both have worked with bright colours. Anjani's cityscape (rather abstract) with a `washed effect' in blue complements the denim vintage dress (the denim kurta has old borders beautifully embroidered as a panel - a blend of the old and the new) of Kiran. The designer has launched this collection this winter in denim and silk. Old brocade borders, the reverse portions of fabrics and pieces of silk are patch-worked to create classic kurtas, which can be worn any time. Anything `antique' is in these days. So are clothes, which are given this effect by designers.
A portrait of a woman sitting and ruminating with shades of orange has a sari of a sheer fabric beautifully embellished. An orange seamless top (more like a `wrap around' with sleeves scooped out with no stitching and held together by an uncut stone for a button) in heat pressed georgette (a fabric which washes well and requires nil maintenance) is a chic creation more for the flamboyant who can carry out off well. Jagjit Singh's ghazal Kagaz ki kashti inspired Anjani to paint a canvas filled with a woman wearing a sari with flowers, while Kiran's yellow sari has a similar motif sprinkled with embroidered flowers. One can see more such similar works displayed at the outlet.
LINE AND COLOURS: The display at Oorja is interesting
An understated elegance prevails through the vintage line of Kiran Uttam Ghosh. For the first time she has done a line in pure silk - bright hues (with a few short colours) with coloured stones (from Swarovski) stitched on intricately.
One can have a "brush with fashion' till December 20.This is a well-thought out concept but sadly in our country people look at and buy more clothes than art. Let's hope there is equal emphasis to both at Oorja.
RADHIKA RAJAMANI
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