Leading Ladies

It was eight years back when WE — a Chandigarh-based group of artists — was formed by a bunch of housewives who liked to paint and found solace in art. Soon,other artists from the region joined in. “As an artist,I was interacting with many friends who were qualified and passionate about art,but were not doing anything with their talent. As a result,there was an inner discord that was troubling them. The group WE was conceived to take their journey forward,” says Sadhna Sangar,co-founder of the organisation. Now,close to the International Women’s Day,they have organised their annual exhibition — Images 2011. Featuring 20 artists,this comprises 70 works.

Ranging from abstract to figurative work and landscapes,the artists have worked on varied themes. Patiala-based Kamal Sohal,who is in her late 50s,depicts women in various moods,most of them dealing with loneliness. Sohal takes inspiration from her surrounding for her acrylics and mixed media work.

Sixty-something Navpreet Kaur,one of the founder members of WE,works with handmade sheets. She depicts the feelings of women at different stages of their life. In one canvas she dresses a woman in black and white; in another instance she is selling flowers — they struggle to listen to their own voice. “We have to live life to the fullest,against all odds,” says she.

Story continues below this ad

While Sangar relates life to nature and her works signify a renewal of life,artist Neeru Vij’s works are bright and evocative. “Chandigarh has shown me a picture of nature that no city can,” says Sangar whose artwork portrays different seasons and colours that depict the ups and downs of life.

The group exhibition also showcases Mumbai-based Simrit Luthra’s works,one of which has a woman in a lotus pond. Ashpreet,on the other hand,has trees blowing with the wind in her collages that are in varied hues.

The exhibition is on at Punjab Kala Bhavan till March 5.