Spotlight on Dipanker Dasgupta

Dipankar Dasgupta, we are also shown a world that is bleak, empty, and sometimes dark. The rough side of existence is juxtaposed with ornamentation, which can be interpreted as the divisiveness of a caste system or modern society’s enticing cover-up, distracting us from the darker, bleaker side of an industrialized world. Dasgupta shows the devastation left behind when an industry has eaten its fill and moved on to greener pastures. Modern architecture is depicted as a maze of jagged lines and, like Patel, man and nature is shown connected by wires rather than the natural flow of energy and emotion between all living things.

“Connectivity I &II” and “The Hill, The Moons, The Sea…” communicate the advancement in the world of technology while three waning celestial bodies trapped in an eclipse, hover over the lifeless golden hill. In this body of paintings the surface of the canvas serves as a signifier against which the artist develops on his language of coded symbols.

Spotlight on Sharmi Chowdhury

Figurative in nature the paintings of Sharmi Chowdhury depict the complexities of human relationships that the artist presents from personal experiences. The artist is a passive observer of the scene she has created. Multiple perspectives, reminiscent of miniature paintings, have been used by Chowdhury very effectively in order to delineate various related events at different space and time. The use of theatrical backdrops adds drama to the overall composition.

Born in 1974, in Kolkata Chowdhury received her B.F.A in painting from Kala Bhavan, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan in 2003 and M.F.A in painting from M.S. University, Baroda in 2005. Chowdhury’s first solo show was at Sarjan Art Gallery, Baroda in 2005. In 2008 she had a solo show at Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi. She was also in a two person show at Hacienda Art Gallery in Mumbai; Chowdhury has participated in many group shows in India and Abroad. Among the most recent shows include ‘Emerging India’ organized by Art Alive Gallery in New Delhi at the Royal College of Art, London, UK. The Singapore art fair , Singapore, RL Fine Arts Gallery in New York, Birla Academy of Art & culture in Kolkata, Sarjan Art Gallery in Baroda, Art Consult in new Delhi, Mon Art Gallery, Kolkata, Akkriti Art Galary, Kolkata, Trends &Trivia at Hong Kong, SA Fine Arts at London, UK.

Chowdhury has been the reciepient of a number of prestegous awards some of these are, the ‘Kala Bhavan merit scholarship’ from Visva Bharti University in 1998-2002 the Nokia art award in 1998 and Camlin art award in 2003.

Chowdhury currently lives and works in Baroda, Gujrat.

Spotlight on Mind Matter & Mystique

In Tamarind Arts Current show Mind, Matter & Mystique a number of extremely talented artists are featured. In our press materials we are only allowed a few sentences to focus on each of these wonderful people in the next few posts I will highlight each of theses artists giving the reader an opportunity to learn more about each artist.

Within the context of contemporary Indian art, the last decade of twentieth century is very important towards the development of modernity. Indian artists today are living simultaneously in several cultures and times. As times and cultures converge, the past exists as a living entity alongside the present, illuminating and sustaining each other. Many young and promising artists have tried to come out of conventional ways of image-making practiced by their predecessors of the past decades. They have absorbed in themselves the turmoil created by globalization and its outcome- the market economy, which brought along with it an enormous shift in socio-political and cultural values. They have reacted, restrained or raised a voice of rebellion against these changing spheres through their art.

Mind, Matter and Mystique is an attempt to bring together the conventions of conceptualism, unification of multidirectional norms, mystical faculty of vision, and other varieties of the Indian Contemporary Art practice.

Group Show- Mind, Matter, and Mystique

Mind, Matter, and Mystique. These words magestically echo in one's mind to sanctify the elements. Matter is what comes to the viewer when they are gazing at the powerful works of Nimesh Patel, and Eleena Banik. In hindsight, everything matters. The world is a never ending place that exudes excitement, and infinite sadness. Mystique is what Nikita Parikh brings to the table with her beautiful tapestry-like paintings portraying sacred cows delineating the Lord Krishna. The intricacy in her work is unbelievable. Sharmi Chowdhury uses a different kind of twist. With her juxtapositions and multiple perspective, her work engaged me. Especially, with the rotating piece called, "Pilgrim of the Patriarchs." This unique work she has created, has the viewer thinking that anything can happen at a "blink of an eye."

SAWCC Auction at Tamarind Art!!

SAWCC- "South Asian Women's Creative Collective" held an enormous and successful benefit at the gallery. The champagne flowed, smiles were exchanged, people were mingling, and fresh Tilapia was eaten. There were many unique treasures bid on by many of us. Donated treasures by the artists such as painted tiles, authentic paintings, and drawings by Samira Abbassy, Samanta Batra Mehta, Shelly Bahl, and Riyas Komu just to name a few. They were portrayed on the beautiful, stark white walls of the gallery and collected by my colleagues. One would be pleased to feel the enormous energy flowing throughout the gallery. This event was a huge success. Everyone met at the Leela Lounge afterwards for drinks and hors d'oeuvres. It was a pleasant evening had by all.

Social Entrepreneurship - Believe in the next big idea,

This past Thursday, the October 9, 2008, TIE held the talk, "Social Entrepreneurship - Believe in the next big idea," at Tamarind Arts Council. Moderated by Steve Hamm (BusinessWeek). Lisa Heydlauff (Going to School), Krishna Rao S3IDF and Lynn Renken (Nike Foundation) spoke about non-profit Be! Fund in India and its potential for beneficial change for low-income communities in India. The Be! Fund invests in young entrepreneurs and their respective ideas for change, with concentration on women and rural communities. The fund also encourages others to follow in their footsteps by utilizing media, in the form of a project called "Be! an Entrepreneur," (created by Going to School, supported by the Nike Foundation). This project is easily accessible, up to date in terms of technology, and also inspirational to the audience by providing personal stories of success from those who have utilized the Be! Fund. The primary goal of this project is to stimulate economic, environmental, and social transformation to communities in need. Unlike other initiatives for change, this fund addresses issues based on community needs and financial sustainability. Attendees of the talk learned of the value of investing in this fund and its realistic, innovative goals. The talk offered extensive material including information on the partnership which constitutes the fund, how to invest, social impact indicators, tax benefits, potential risks and more. For more information, please visit the partners websites:

http://www.selco-india.com/

http://www.s3idf.org/
http://goingtoschool.com/map.html

Artist Talk with Prema Murthy and Tom Finkelpearl