In general, no one may understand the direct relation between art and mathematics. Whereas the truth is that it is a subject encompassing line, shape, form, pattern, symmetry, scale and proportion which highlights the interrelationship of both art and mathematics. We know this subject as geometry. This is a subject which clearly highlights the interrelationship between both art and mathematics. The use of line and shape as well as an understanding of spatial ideas, two and three dimensions, measurement, projections and patterns are all skills that are used in both mathematics and art. Many of these ideas can be seen in the composition of an artwork, particularly the way the artist uses the components of the art, and the way the artist uses design principles. For artists and experts in mathematics, science, and technology, problem-solving abilities such as spatial reasoning and imagination are important. Any student can recognize and apply real connections between art and geometry by using an interdisciplinary approach, and they can also understand concepts that go beyond these two subjects. In art, proportion is a principle of design concerned with the size relationships of the parts of a composition to each other and to the whole. Whereas in mathematics, ratio or relationship of one part or another to the whole, especially in relation to size, quantity and degree. Paul Cezanne believed that all things can be reduced to their simplest geometric forms such as the square, circle and cone.
However, any art lover can easily understand this interrelationship of art and mathematics through the artworks displayed in this solo exhibition of senior painter/print maker Madhukar Munde. Madhukar’s identity is that of a famous print maker, but his love for painting also continues. Even now, in contemporary art classification like painter, print maker or sculptor does not matters, because the scope of subject and medium has now become very wide. It has been observed that often while looking at a painting or artwork, some viewers ask the artist, what have you created or what do you want to say through this painting. Actually, the main reason for this question is that we want to understand picture language (chitrabhasha) through the language of words. Or we can say that we have become accustomed to understanding everything through words, whereas there are some fundamental differences between language and picture language (chitrabhasha). Due to lack of understanding of this difference, such questions keep coming up again and again.
A language is expressed through its words, whereas the most important aspect of pictorial language is form and colour. It is clear that this difference is like the difference between alphabet and dictionary. We already know how to take out words from the dictionary and arrange them on the basis of meaning, whereas the colors and shapes we see in a picture are not as meaningful as words. To understand its meaning, one has to first group them like words and discover their meaning. The meaning is that to understand an artwork one has to understand the entire shape and color combination.
However, if we talk about the artworks displayed by Madhukar, it is clear that geometric shapes have been combined here. This spontaneity of forms is actually Madhukar Munde’s specialty or expertise. Madhukar believes that man had well understood the geometric structure of shapes in his early days or stage. Due to these reasons, the figures in the cave paintings created by him were made in the form of lines, triangles or squares. For example, if we look at our Warli and other folk arts, this becomes even more clear. He says that just look at the farmers of our agricultural country, whether it is a piece of agricultural land or their agricultural equipment, there too you will see geometric shapes. If you hold paper and pencil in the hands of a child, the shapes he will draw or create in the name of drawing will only be geometric. It is clear that this understanding of geometric shapes has developed in him without anyone teaching him. Or to put it this way, it is his innate or natural talent or understanding. Madhukar also accepts the importance of female in the creation, he clearly believes that the presence of female is essential for the continuous process of birth and development in any living creature. Therefore, in the course of human development, female power should be considered superior. Due to these reasons, mother power has been given the status of worship in our Sanatan tradition since centuries. We know that Darwin’s theory of evolution also says that ‘the organisms or communities which have the greater ability to adapt to their environment, will be more able to survive and produce offspring, and these offspring will inherit the characteristics of their ancestors. Will inherit it.
Madhukar not only adopts simple and original shapes as motifs in his artworks, he also uses simple and bright colors in the selection of colors. If we look at it, in his artistic journey of more than four decades, Madhukar has reached a point which we can call a return to his roots. That means back to basic. Undoubtedly, this spontaneous expression of Madhukar will give art lovers a feeling of peace like a cool shade, away from the hustle and bustle of life. Which we and our society need more today. It is my good fortune that I get the opportunity from time to time to witness his artistic journey of almost four decades. Hearty congratulations and best wishes……….
-Suman Kumar Singh, Artist/Art Writer