The Collective

The themes are varied, as is the visual and sensory impact, as 16 artists create conversations and stories on the canvas and reach out to the audience with different strokes. Titled "Group Show 16", an exhibition of paintings and sculptures, the show comprises works by artists from all over north India and has been curated by SC Ahuja. "Any time I see an interesting work, I get the artist's number and send an invite for the show, like this exhibition," says Ahuja, as he takes us around his line drawings, inspired by the Sufi saints and nature, as well as his sculptures, an eye-catcher titled My Thought in bronze.

The only artist from Chandigarh, Bheem Malhotra, inspired by the on-going winter season and his visits to the hills, has played with the horizon, colours and moods of nature in his water colours. Vibrations of Spring on handmade paper comprises a plethora of colours with the landscape presenting a picture of serenity. Chandigarh's trees in the fog and the colours created by the mist form two other works. "I have also experimented with perspective and size of my works to present new forms of nature,'' says Malhotra.

Geetha Ramasesh experiments with textures to create an effect of paper on canvas, with both her canvases bearing a wooden finish, and uses simple elements like squirrels, leaves and beetles to create space.

Ranjeet Singh believes an artist needs to be committed to the society and lend a helping hand through his works. Singh works extensively on child labour, and Yamu, a boy who worked in his college canteen is his inspiration. "He worked the entire day and just earned Rs 20. I have been inspired by that energy and have painted 40 works on the same theme,'' says Singh. Here are two absorbing works on the theme, with one depicting a smiling Yamu with a photograph of God in the background and his hand showing a coin. "In this young age, the lines of his hand are covered with the constant struggle of making ends meet,'' reflects Singh. His other work shows the Parliament building, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and dogs. "It's simple. We are compared with dogs as far as our rights are concerned. Like them, the common man has no rights, and the Parliament is just a building for us. Our struggle continues without any end,'' explains Singh, who believes in painting simple themes so that art is not intimidating.

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