More than 40 established and emerging artists from India and the Asian subcontinent are showcasing their latest works in Kolor Palette — a group show presented by Aart Souqk 6 at The Gallery of Light, Ductac. The artworks range from abstract paintings to realistic depictions of life in the region and from tranquil landscapes to emotional figurative works.
“The title of this exhibition refers to the intensity of colour, the rich diversity of Asian art and the variety of skills and techniques handed down and refined over the centuries in the region. The eloquent tapestry of works showcases diverse hues and vibrant tints that border between the real and the abstract. Each artwork is a true celebration of life in its many forms, created with a rich palette of myriad emotions,” curator Ghayathri Desai says.
The artists have used a variety of media and they have addressed diverse themes such as memories and the emotions they evoke, the eternal cycle of birth, death and regeneration, and exploration of our inner world. Colourful composition by Iromie Wijewardena celebrate the beauty of the female form and the many roles a woman plays in contemporary society, while Dr Sharmila Tulpule’s meditative semi-abstract acrylic paintings invite viewers to enter a different state of consciousness.
Shailly Lal’s paintings are inspired by nature and based on ‘Wu-Wei’ the Chinese philosophical concept that nature creates calmness in human minds, whereas Hanan Nagi has used resin pigment and acrylic on canvas to convey the beauty of the desert landscape of the UAE.
Yuvraj Patil has focused on capturing the beauty and power of horses through his pencil and charcoal drawings; and Abeera Atique’s spiritual works include Peace and Tranquility, a painting depicting the 99 names of God, displayed in the intricate designs from the Wazir Khan Mosque in Pakistan and a depiction of the beautiful Shaikh Zayed Mosque.
Virendra Kumar has explored our relationship with the environment, with paintings that seek to understand climate change and the role of water in global warming. On the other hand, Aalok K.V.’s evocative paintings deal with the issue of migration of people from villages to urban areas, and the resulting erosion of cultural traditions and values.
Other artists featured in the show include Purnima Dabholkar, Shirish Kathale, Sayantan Ghati, Kamakar Datta, Kajal Metha, Brijesh Upadhyay, Binna Parikh, Atul Bhalerao, Vipta Kapadia, Shyamala Venkatesh, Meetu Garg, Rekha Sharma, Kamal Devnath, Sunita Vasanth, Nisha Mathrani, Nyo Win Pe, Krishna Rajendra Kumar, Debasis Mitra, Somesh, Deepak Patil, Madhuri Gayawal, Tusli Prasad, Bhanu Govani, Sateesh Dingankar, Anuja Sane, Shannon Thomas, Naureen Usmani, Meena Kamal, Romy Ravindran, Rajni Madhra, Ruchi Sharma, Anil Kanive and Mark Daulat.
Kolor Palette will run at The Gallery of Light, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates until October 1.