Abstract art finds a growing number of admirers in the city
Indian Express: A complex and often incomprehensible art form, abstract art is nevertheless finding a growing number of admirers in the city.
That which they call abstract is the most realistic, because what is real is not the exterior but the idea, the essence of things — Constantin Brâncusi.
Over the centuries, abstract art (or expressionism, as the more knowledgeable would say) has always remained somewhat of a mystery to what are sometimes referred to as ‘commoners’. Widely dissimilar to representational paintings, abstract art challenges the mind and its perceptions. It is a peep into the artist’s psyche and his ideas of what the world around him represents. Through varied interpretations of his surroundings, the artist tried to invoke pure emotion-something not polluted by prejudice.
Getting increasingly popular in India, the art form is beginning to generate a lot of curiosity amongst buyers and investors alike. Neeta Padgilwar, of the Rudraksh Art Gallery explains this interest “Most buyers like to acquire original prints of the paintings. As figurative or representational art is pricey as compared to abstract art in India, buyers and investors are being drawn towards this option. Sometimes the art is bought just for the colour tones used in the canvas.”
It is frequently noticed that abstract art remains misinterpreted as many consider it ‘simple’. J.Sachdev, owner of Emblem Art Gallery interprets this as a lack of understanding of the colours and strokes used by the artists “Not many know that red stands for rage, black for darkness, blue for calm and so on. There is a distinct lack of communication between the artists and the buyers that needs to be bridged in order to really appreciate the art form.” As an afterthought he adds, “Buying modern art is an ongoing trend of thought. Most people are just succumbing to the trend instead of buying the paintings for the meanings conveyed by them.”
Elucidating the common perception of abstract art and an artist’s mindset is Shrikant Kadam, a well-known abstract artist “There lies a certain philosophy behind every abstract painting. Although many might think that the form is easy, it requires a lot of thinking on the part of the artist with regards to form, colours, schemes, subjects etc. It becomes imperative for people to observe the paintings with an open mind; only then will the essence be understood. Only an artist knows how difficult it is not to paint figures.” Agrees Umakant Ranade, painter and lecturer at Bharati Vidyapeeth “The artist has a different perspective to his painting which the audience should be made to understand. Workshops, appreciation courses, artist interviews would help a lot in this regard.”
One of the contributors to bringing this art form to the masses is Parul Mehta, Director of Ishanya Mall and a collector of “all good art”. Even though she says that as compared to Mumbai, Pune is just warming up to abstract paintings, “the amount of footfalls at art exhibitions and workshops are increasing as art is no longer considered elitist. Although most people try and understand the painting they are buying by speaking to the artist, some want to interpret them their own way as it tells them a different story every time. For a few, its just love at first sight.”
The mindset of the artist might always remain a question mark but its interpretation is open to all through his/her abstract musings.
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