In harmony with nature in city gallery
20 Dec 2012 11:37 PM GMT
Nature has for long been the muse for many artists. For Devdatta Padekar, however, nature does not and cannot exist in isolation. It has to be seen and felt in relationship to other life forms that exist on earth, especially humans. In a solo show, evocatively titled Feelings, that is being presented by Gallerie Ganesha, Padekar shows 22 works that reflect the sensitive bond of curiosity, innocence and love between humans and nature.
The show is remarkable for the 34-year-old Mumbaikar’s adept handling of the human figure replete with its complex structure, movement, grace, emotions and character. What’s more, the artist has worked in two extremely diverse mediums — oils and pastels — yet giving them both a soft, ethereal touch that speaks of his mastery over both mediums and his attempt to ‘discover something new within an old medium’.
Says Padekar, a JJ School of art alumni who studied art at London and Florence later: ‘Nature has always inspired and fascinated me as an artist. The human figure has always played a pivotal role in my paintings as it constantly challenges me. Equally important for me is the mood of the subject and the harmony of colours and composition.’
Art was always encouraged in Padekar’s household and his parents supplied the young boy with sketchbooks and pens to draw various objects around him — a vase, a table, a lamp — but he was never given a pencil and an eraser. Looking back at those days, Padekar feels that what his parents were doing at that time was to build his confidence in drawing and painting.
That informal training, combined with his formal studies at the Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai, The Camberwell College of Arts in London and The Florence Academy of Art in Italy, developed the artist’s ability to isolate fleeting, precious moments through figures.
Speaking about his current show, Padekar says it is about curiosity, innocence and sharing of love between humans and different forms of nature.
‘I find this sensitivity increasingly becoming rare in today’s world. The forms of nature I have chosen are some of the most dainty and beautiful aspects of nature whose very presence and existence can bring joy to most of us but are being forgotten in today’s frenzy of a fast-paced life,’ he says.
Padekar’s works in the show transport us to a land of serenity and beauty that nature has, but holds no significance in today’s world. For instance, in a pastel on board titled I am all yours, a child is shown with various birds and, as the title suggests, the child becomes one with nature.
‘Looking at a child makes us lose all our worries and tension,’ he says, ‘there’s innocence in them regardless of colour, class or religion — the same innocence that fades away as we grow up.’ Other works like Sparkling Diamonds, Goldfish, A Touch are all about the relationship between humans and nature.
The show is remarkable for the 34-year-old Mumbaikar’s adept handling of the human figure replete with its complex structure, movement, grace, emotions and character. What’s more, the artist has worked in two extremely diverse mediums — oils and pastels — yet giving them both a soft, ethereal touch that speaks of his mastery over both mediums and his attempt to ‘discover something new within an old medium’.
Says Padekar, a JJ School of art alumni who studied art at London and Florence later: ‘Nature has always inspired and fascinated me as an artist. The human figure has always played a pivotal role in my paintings as it constantly challenges me. Equally important for me is the mood of the subject and the harmony of colours and composition.’
Art was always encouraged in Padekar’s household and his parents supplied the young boy with sketchbooks and pens to draw various objects around him — a vase, a table, a lamp — but he was never given a pencil and an eraser. Looking back at those days, Padekar feels that what his parents were doing at that time was to build his confidence in drawing and painting.
That informal training, combined with his formal studies at the Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai, The Camberwell College of Arts in London and The Florence Academy of Art in Italy, developed the artist’s ability to isolate fleeting, precious moments through figures.
Speaking about his current show, Padekar says it is about curiosity, innocence and sharing of love between humans and different forms of nature.
‘I find this sensitivity increasingly becoming rare in today’s world. The forms of nature I have chosen are some of the most dainty and beautiful aspects of nature whose very presence and existence can bring joy to most of us but are being forgotten in today’s frenzy of a fast-paced life,’ he says.
Padekar’s works in the show transport us to a land of serenity and beauty that nature has, but holds no significance in today’s world. For instance, in a pastel on board titled I am all yours, a child is shown with various birds and, as the title suggests, the child becomes one with nature.
‘Looking at a child makes us lose all our worries and tension,’ he says, ‘there’s innocence in them regardless of colour, class or religion — the same innocence that fades away as we grow up.’ Other works like Sparkling Diamonds, Goldfish, A Touch are all about the relationship between humans and nature.
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