Published in supplement Weekend, Coimbatore edition
with The New Indian Express dated Feb 24, 2007
By Francis P Barclay
Art and femininity, by definition are indissoluble. It is with this intuition that the seven young lady artists have come to display their sundry art works, all bouncing with unchained gleam and gusto.
At the `Vaanavil thoorigaigal' (brushes of the rainbow), the ongoing painting exhibition, organised under the Eighth Growing Young Artists Series at the Kasthuri Sreenivasan Trust Art Gallery on the Avinashi Road in
Coimbatore, on display are a plethora of art pieces worked out on a medley of mediums from oil on canvas and water on `handmade' to pencil on velvet.
If the colours used are vibrant, the themes are pleasant. No antagonism, no harrow, no anguish. Most paintings prevail upon the thrill of still life.
The seven, Kavitha M, Nannai T, Kalaimani M, Lavanya N, Gayathri M, Thirupurasundari G and Rajalakshmi K are students of the Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai. They are among the 50-odd girl students of the college, in which about 900 students are studying.
The paintings are lush with bright hues. They blend nature with mankind in their paintings. A few paintings may seem to have only trees and landscapes, but a close look would help one find the structures of woman limned in them. But in Gayathri's `Human tree' the truth is explicit.
Rajalakshmi's `Thinking lady', `Playing boys' and the people `Dreaming' and `Dancing' on the canvases expose the tranquility of life.
Says Kalaimani: ``I wish to have art as my main occupation and keep on trying different styles, unlike most artists who choose a particular medium and become expert in it.''
Although novices in art, they give a ripe touch in whatever medium they work on or styles they adopt. Inventiveness is the thing, it seems.
Among the pieces on display are also spot paintings portraying day-to-day life. ``For an artist, the work place is spread across the world and life is the main theme. Essentials are from outside the room,'' says Thirupurasundari.
Is it thats why the parents hesitate to let girls pursue art? Nannai wonders. ``I had to insist my parents a lot before they gave their nod for me to participate in this exhibition. Even to join the BFA course, I had to do a lot to convince them, explaining about the myriad opportunities available for art learners. Many are unawares!'' she says.
But Thirupurasundari's case is different. Her father is a sculptor. In fact, it was his idea that she should join the fine arts college, which he yearned for and couldn't. He has been encouraging her in art right from her childhood.
Rajalakshmi discontinued her B.Com. course when she was in the first year, to join the Fine Arts course. She says opportunities are aplenty for artists. Art will be useful even in other areas which demand creativity like
visualising, animation and graphics.
``Art would always remain in its pure form in our lives. We would be doing paintings and exhibiting them. Our aim is to become world renowned artists and we would become one day,'' Gayathri says.
On the spot portrait and painting demonstrations are also done at the exhibition. Art works quoted at from Rs 200 are for sale.
The exhibition will be on till February 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For further details contact 0422-2574110
