Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 13 Aug: Art lovers in Dehradun will have an opportunity to experience a diverse collection of paintings and sculptures at Artists’ Group Show–3, “Indian Landscapes” being held at Centrio Mall, Dehradun, from 12 to 16 August. The exhibition has been curated by Dehradun-based artist and sculptor Satpal Singh Gandhi.
The exhibition brings together 29 artists, including three Guest Artists, presenting works in a wide range of styles, subjects and mediums. Paintings in watercolour, acrylic, oil, charcoal, graphite, ink, mixed media and other techniques are being displayed alongside sculptures and works created from unconventional and recycled materials.
Special Attraction of the event are sculptures by Satpal Singh Gandhi who creates art with Industrial Junk, Automotive Junk and any other junk which he sees has an aesthetic value. His work on Hunan anatomy is spectacular. Sculptures by Dr Bindu Chhabra are also showcased.
The three guest artists have also been given space to showcase their work. Chief Guest Aloke B Lal’s works are graphite pencil sketches on paper. Bhumesh Bharti, a renowned photographer, has showcased his Abstract in Photography. Manika, who has been practicing art since her childhood and has showcased her work online and offline at various galleries and art shows, has also her works on display.
The exhibition was inaugurated on 12 August by former DGP, author and artist Aloke B Lal. Anoop Nautiyal and Gyanendra Kumar were Guests of Honour.
In his opening speech, Lal said that artists represent the community just as a social worker works for the community. Gyanendra Kumar added that the artists should create their own work without copying form someone else or even using a subject in front to copy even from nature. He said, “Just see the world around you and capture it in the mind and draw it on canvas with your mind not just by copying a subject in front of you.”
Veteran Artist Jaspal Duggal was also present and appreciated the work displayed by all the artists.
The Group Show has been conceived not merely as an exhibition but as a common platform where established, emerging and self-taught artists can display their work together and interact with viewers. The diversity of participating artists and their individual approaches to art give visitors an opportunity to experience different forms of visual expression under one roof.
Curator Satpal Singh Gandhi, himself a sculptor, photographer and up-cycling artist, believes that art should move beyond conventional gallery spaces and reach a wider audience. Holding the exhibition at a public space such as Centrio Mall is an effort to bring art closer to people who may not ordinarily visit an art gallery. This is the third Group show at Centrio Mall in a row curated by Satpal, bringing varied artists at one platform to showcase their work and give the Art lovers to meet the artists and understand the Art and Artist.
“An exhibition becomes meaningful when people stop, look at a work of art, ask questions and interact with the artist. Art should be accessible to everyone,” says Gandhi.
A special attraction of the five-day event will be a Live Painting Workshop on 15 August from 11 a.m. onwards, where visitors will be able to watch artists at work. Instead of viewing only completed paintings, the audience will have an opportunity to observe the creative process as blank canvases and sheets of paper gradually take shape through colour, line and imagination.
The exhibition also highlights the growing community of artists in Dehradun and Uttarakhand. By bringing artists of different age groups, backgrounds and levels of experience onto a common platform, the show encourages interaction, exchange of ideas and greater public appreciation of visual art.
For Gandhi, curating such exhibitions is also about creating opportunities. Many talented artists continue to work quietly in their studios and homes but have limited opportunities to exhibit before a larger audience. Group exhibitions provide them visibility while allowing artists to learn from one another.
Backend support to execute the Exhibition was given by Zakir Hussain, Nikhil Arora, Sarabhjeet Kaur, Varchasva Dhunta, Narender, Bobby Suryavanshi, and Ayush Rawat.
Shivani Ratra introduced all the artists to the audience, as well as the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour.
Artists’ Group Show – 3 will remain open till 16 August.
Participating artists included Akansh Sonkar, Amar Singh Dhunta, Anjali Thapa, Arvind Gairola, Ayush Rawat, Bobby Rajwanshi, Col. Bharat Bhandari, Dr. Anshu Mohan, Dr. Bindu Chhabra, Madhvi Thakur, Mekhlla, Mohd. Moin, Naman Bhui Paul, Rahul Sonkar, Seema Nichani, Shabnam Anand Singh, Shilpi Sinha, Shivani Ratra, Smrity Lal, Sneha Tomar, Sushma Kohli, Thom Vink, Vicky Arya, Vikram, Zakir Hussain, Mukta Joshi, Bhumesh Bharti (Guest Artist), Manika (Guest artist), Aloke B.Lal (Guest artist) and Satpal Singh Gandhi (Sculptor & Curator) along with his wife Sharanjeet Kaur Gandhi.
Pics: Sarabhjeet Kaur
