By Aditi Roy
New Delhi, May 17 (IANSlife): ‘Aranya: A Folk Story brings together a compilation of work by Venkat Singh Shyam that narrates poetic stories of life.
His vivid and intricately patterned paintings describe protagonists from a forest world. Symbolically representing balance, the images express both the benevolence and harshness of our environment, honouring interdependence of all beings and acknowledging nature's resilience under the threat of human interference.
The online exhibition that started on May 14 will be held till July 5.
The precariousness of the world's industrial and capitalist systems was never more visible than now with the impact of the COVID-19 virus; the paintings provide a lens through which to imagine a more respectful and sustainable relationship with nature's resources, a reminder that change is possible. Within these intersections of mythology and contemporary reality, a fascinating realm unfolds, drawing the viewer into its depths through every line and painted stroke.
"‘Aranya: A Forest Story' shows the work that narrates poetic stories of life, patterned paintings describing protagonists from a forest world. With the impact of the COVID19 virus, the paintings provide a lens through which to imagine a more respectful and sustainable relationship with nature's resources, a reminder that change is possible," says Venkat Singh Shyam who hails from the Gondwana region in Madhya Pradesh.
The Gondwana region is in the heart of the Indian subcontinent -- the term from which the prehistoric ‘Gondwanaland' was derived. The art form of the region's native people reveals an aesthetic language gleaned from a profound relationship with the natural world, its sounds and forms -- with songs and stories, organic dots, lines, swirls, and vibrant colours that envelope the environment and all its spirits.
"Art has the power to bring about change and positivity. These are challenging times, for all of us. Let us make an effort to sustain art and creativity and channelise it further to help those affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. With this aim in mind the gallery shall donate percentages of proceeds to charities and NGOs working tirelessly towards aiding & rehabilitating those suffering due to #COVID19", says Neelam Mahlotra owner of Ampas Art Gallery.
Notions of home and belonging, love and desire, friendships and co-dependence appear as primary threads of exploration in the artist's work -- the themes he returns to even as he responds to topical situations and events, like the dreaded corona-virus currently; it's impact and the condition of our planet are not unconnected to him.
Venkat Shyam builds visual tension between monochromatic backgrounds and detailed forms that are often camouflaged with each other in seamless design, as seen in the ‘Horses'. Harmonious unions and the celebration of various aspects of love feature in works like ‘Meetings' in which the figures meld into each other, the feeling attenuated by the complementarity of their patterned bodies. Dynamic movement through linear elements and articulated space are other devices that bring his works to life, as in the ‘Doves' - portrayed against a vibrant red background, the intricately feathered birds appear poised mid-air, in a dance of courtship amidst blossoms.