6-12 March, 2020 @ AIFACS, Delhi
The National Group Exhibition has taken as its theme the artistic possibilities behind portraying the Buddha, in art.
The serene facial contours as also the calming posture of viewing the image of the Buddha has always been a popular draw for artists of all ages, particularly in India and other South East Asian countries. While the first look may give the impression that the form does not lend itself to innovation due to its over use, the current show, ‘National Group Exhibition’ held at the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, Delhi, from 6th to 12 March, proved to the contrary. The clutch of Buddha depictions by various artists examined the theme in a manner that proved beyond doubt that indeed this form is a subject of endless proportions.
The show was inaugurated by Sh. Sudarshan Bhagat, MP and a connoisseur of art. The choice of diverse and well executed images on display was curated by the well-known artist Sikandar Jangra whose selection brought out the essence of spirituality contained in the images. While some of the works exploited the calmness and serenity of a blue backdrop, others had executed their concepts in a division of geometric spaces highlighted with the play of light from specific angles, giving the image a dramatic overview. Elsewhere, the stone sculpture of the Buddha form became the leit motif of this exhibition. A clever geometry of dividing the canvas into squares and fitting the parts of the holistic Buddha form alternately, added further interest through this novel sub-division. With the use of symbolic additives, such as floating full-blown lotuses, and Buddhist icons and symbols, the aura of the subject of Buddha was captured and artistically highlighted through individual creations.
