“Abbozzo” refers to a sketch, or what we typically refer to as freehand drawing, and it is the title of this show including seven artists. The initial sketch of a painting, drawing, or sculpture is referred to by this Italian term. One such sketch, which has a huge potential to become the identity of contemporary art in the future, is being shown by these seven artists from different sections of the country through this group exhibition. Regarding the trend of group exhibitions, they originated with cooperatively organized art shows by individual artists or any other kind of art group. Group shows have also been observed to be held by commercial galleries in the recent years. Usually, the owner of the gallery or the art curator chooses which artists to include. When it comes to galleries, we all know that the majority of private art galleries in the nation are concentrated in large cities, which means that most artists who live outside of these areas are unable to participate in these shows.
In these circumstances, group exhibitions—which are arranged by the participating artists with cooperation and consent—are a preferable choice for artists, particularly up-and-coming artists. This group show features the following artists: Seema Tomar, New Delhi; Naval Kishore, New Delhi; Pooja Raj, New Delhi; Ranjit Kumar, Bihar; Sajit Minj, Ranchi; Rajendar Kumar Tatawat, New Delhi; and Kaushalesh Kumar, Guwahati. The rainbow-like presence of these seven artists from diverse origins might be paralleled to this display of their works, each showcasing their unique artistic colors and luminosities.
Originally from Bihar, Kaushalesh Kumar now resides in Guwahati. He attended the College of Art and Craft at Lucknow University in Lucknow and the Faculty of Visual Arts at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi to further his studies in art. The abstract style of Kaushalesh’s artwork is well-known. As an artist, you are acknowledged for your artistic activity, which has been valued in both his original works and art events. While these geometric shapes might initially appear abstract, Kaushalesh incorporates them into his artworks to create imagined combinations of text and geometric shapes that take the shape of images. As Kaushalesh put it: “With these zen-like surfaces, I aim to capture the joy of creation through unframed but arbitrary shapes, giving them a rhythmic sense.” I want to get the audience closer to the waves of color application that both conceal and reveal important central features by presenting them with opaque-translucent materials. These forms are grouped in a balanced fashion to show and hide.”
Naval Kishore holds a master’s degree from Jiwaji University from 2005 and a bachelor’s degree from Jamia. Naval brings together human creativity, hopes, and desires in his artwork. The hopes and desires that mankind is still ardently pursuing are reflected in his works. Currently, the degree of his success or failure in this is a different story. He can, however, continue to focus on this endeavor and introspection from his own perspective. His artworks are blatantly expressive of these feelings.
Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh is Pooja Raj’s birthplace. She earned a postgraduate degree in painting and drawing from D.S. Degree College, an Agra University affiliate, in 2006, and a postgraduate diploma in applied art from Aligarh Muslim University, also in Aligarh, in 2008. The watercolor artworks she did under the ‘Solitude’ series. She thinks it has to do with my priorities, my choices, and my style of living. I get a much-needed respite from the bustle and hum of daily life while I’m alone. It offers a chance to detach from outside pressures and discover inner tranquility. One can completely experience the satisfaction of being in tune with oneself during these times of seclusion. It is obvious that for all of us in the modern world, this act of worship or self-acceptance is now essential.
Ranjit Kumar received his degree from BHU Varanasi’s Faculty of Visual Arts, and he also has a master’s degree from Hyderabad’s S.N. School of Fine Arts. According to Ranjit, “I work with a wide range of mediums, including mixed media, sculpture, printmaking, and installation. As the diaspora throughout India is aware, I was raised in Bihar, where millions of people migrate merely to make ends meet and provide for their families. They experience social isolation after moving to a new location, but they eventually adapt to the new community. However, in the new location, how this new identity impacts them both mentally and physically. These migrants face danger, uncertainty, and hardship on their journey, yet they never give up. They keep looking for a safer location and a better life. They never give up hope in the face of obstacles and hardships. This is the reason for my inspiration to incorporate the theme of migration in my artwork.”
Sajit Minj holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from BHU, Varanasi’s Faculty of Visual Arts. The same faculty also awarded him a Master’s degree. Sajit has taken part in numerous art shows and has won numerous accolades for his artwork. “Art works are the mental, physical, and divine experiential extensions of an artist that define his/her thoughts and feelings,” says Sajit, summarizing his artistic path. I’m not restricted to any one theme or subject. What I paint is going to depend on how I’m feeling. I enjoy painting a variety of subjects, including landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, and figurative compositions. Of these, I think Banaras Ghat is my favorite. Whenever I visit Banaras, I paint the city’s ghats. Figurative composition is a topic in which the artist expresses his true emotions and ideas in a way that the audience or art spectator can easily see through his facial expressions. Evidently, Sajit kept the same emotion in the artwork that was on show as well—that is, he drew the features with broad, bold strokes.
Jamia Millia University in New Delhi awarded Rajendra Kumar Tatawat a Bachelor of Arts degree, and Gwalior awarded him an M.A. in art. Because of his intense love of art, Rajendra views his journey as an artist. The interplay of color, shape, and structure is prioritized by the artist in addition to making his works visually captivating. His paintings have a distinct character since they portray the present against the backdrop of the past. Their portrayal of the present is based on the sculptural tradition cultivated during the Indian subcontinent’s illustrious history. In addition, whether we realize it or not, his artworks offer a window into contemporary culture, which we frequently overlook. His paintings emphasize human sensibility while also highlighting the day-to-day activities of contemporary society. His works of art are echoes of the present, crafted via the fusion of history, fantasy, reality and dreams.
Seema Tomar has been creating for over ten years. She graduated with a degree in Arts from Jamia Millia Islamia University. She has been visible in a number of art shows in this sequence. Human beings are presented in a whole new way by Seema’s imaginative and realistic forms in her artworks. In this instance, the combination of human faces alternates between looking like a fish and a bird.
It is anticipated that the capital’s artists, art enthusiasts, and critics would give this rainbow presentation of these seven passionate artists a lot of love and support. with gratitude and best wishes……
-Suman Kumar Singh
Artist, curator and Art writer