Negotiation with oneself and nature

Negotiated Positions, an art exhibition portraying paintings of eleven different artists is on at Chancery Pavillion. These paintings revolve around the concept of negotiations that a person has with his inner feelings,  a journey inside-out, which helps him define his relationship with himself and others. This negotiation is required  of him to attain what he aspires for in his life.  But, a critical factor of this negotiation is the sacrifices and compromises made.Thirteen different paintings that are unique in their own ways seem to send across a similar message to the person on the other side. The colours used send across a warm message to the viewers.  It provokes a journey within the mind,  shows the changes in the political and social scenario in the society by portraying them in an abstract manner. Each painting differs by having a different message.One of the most striking paintings is Babu Eshwar’s Black Hole and Matchbox.   Dark colours in the painting give a sense of suffocation, but at the same time adds warmth.  The room is detailed and he has portrayed everyday objects in different sizes, defying the conventions that confine to these objects.  Also, a painting within a painting is quite reflective on the artist’s part.  Babu Eshwar Prasad commented, “This painting is a reminiscent of my college years and it’s the last of my series. I have tried to bring out the importance of spaces as well.”  But what one should not miss in his painting is the pipe. It has been a symbolic icon in art since it was painted by Renme Magritte in the work Ce na pas une pipe. The very presence of this historic image highlights the other objects, making them fit in their selective places.Another  painting which catches the attention is that of Venugopal’s, One X One where he has managed to reveal the tension brought about due to negotiations.  This painting shows six segments within the frame , each of these segments reflect the position the artist had to take in his mind before painting the canvas. The image is fine and minute details of different positions have been given importance. One can almost feel the muscle twitch. In his other painting Up he yet again shows the different positions of man during the process of negotiation, rethinking, analysing and readjusting. Sumedh Rajendran in his sculpture brings to light the impact of the demands of the environment on human condition, reflecting the consequences of negotiating with the environment. On the similar lines is the painting of Sunoj D, Blaming it on the stars that shine, Blame it on the rain. His image is captivating.  He does not use flowers but different shaped bulbs. Coloured roots in the wiring is very minimalistic in thought content but very well captured for its simple approach of the theme.  Again, showing man’s negotiations with nature or rather the flip side of it. Suchender P has tried to bring forth the  current political scenario especially Gandhigiri in his politically charged image which comments on the day to day politics of life. However, Gurusiddappa in his image The First Rain after A Long Time brings forth the experience of union. The hibiscus flower adds warmth to the fine sketch of man and animal, while the rest remain grey deliberately. He shows negotiating positions between the animals and human beings; and the difference in both of their positions with respect to the strengthing of their bond.  Even  Murali Cheeroth in his painting  has managed to bring about a connection between the spiritual and the tangible .  It also give the viewer a current scenario of the lifestyle at present.And, Chandra Battacharjee’s painting Waking Up to a New Dawn shows the inner conflict within a person. The cloth tied around his eyes help him shut off the external influences. Portraying a strong relationship a man has with himself. Prashanta Sanhu’s, Imagine 26 painting provoking similar kind of thoughts is again a painting showing the inner conflicts within a person. The inter connection between the objects shows the chaos reigning in the mind.Farhad Hussains’ painting, Drawing Room is contrastingly different from the rest of the paintings. He  brings about different levels of bonding and relationships within a family.  There is a sense of joy which overwhelms the painting.  The control, ease and skill of management evident between and among the figures is almost challenging. In Rajiba Lochan Pani painting The missing link, there is  a particular sensitivity that can be noticed. He seems to have tried to capture the moment before its gone. In his other paintings we can see that he relates to natural objects and tries to come in terms with an obvious absence.