An affair with climate: Awaiting a new beginning

In an attempt to connect art and the impending danger of climate change, Art Life Gallery has organised a group art show, to showcase the paintings of five talented artists. The paintings will be on display till July 14. 

The fortnight-long show called An Affair with Climate, which began on Wednesday, is based on the theme of <g data-gr-id="23">ultimate</g> intersection between the natural and built environment.  It focuses on the outcome and the damage that has been incurred to the surroundings and its threat to our existence. The participating artists are Nishi Nitya, Umesh Prasad, Anupama Kumari, Dr Chitra Singh and Babu Saha. 

“As the balanced and familiar atmosphere of the 19th and 20th century is changing into a warming and unpredictable one, we find ourselves unintentionally in control of the planet’s thermostat due to heavy usage of fossil fuels,” said Pratibha Agarwal, co-promoter of the gallery, who has also curated the show.  

“The artist’s task is to raise awareness of the past and unfolding the present, whilst living in an ethical relationship with nature and treading as lightly as possible on the land,” says Nishi Nitya, explaining her painting which shows various hues of blue depicting various moods of the sea and the danger that is lurking around the coastal areas due to rising sea-level.  Dr Chitra Singh, who also writes poetry, explains her painting which has various shades of red and yellow, “Climate change has implications for wildlife and flora, as well as for us. We are facing challenges and we need to raise awareness of a particularly <g data-gr-id="27">21st century</g> sort of tension and anxiety,” she said.

Umesh Prasad while explaining his series of works called Prithvi, says, “I’m eager to show the issue of climate change in an artistic fashion and have incorporated inputs from science into my pieces of art in a way that’s useful to the public.”  Agarwal adds, “Our ultimate goal for this show is to be seen by those who, due to either apathy or acceptance of a skeptical view, are aloof from efforts to adapt to climate change.”