Alienated society finds space on canvas

Selected works of eminent artists like K. Laxma Goud, Ganesh Pyne, Jogen Chowdhury, Ram Kumar and Satish Gujral are exhibited in the capital which have drawn inspiration from 'alienated' or marginalised section of the society.

"Situationism", the title is derived from Karl Marx's "theory of alienation" which describes the separation of things that naturally belong together but are alienated.

For Kolkata-based curator Arun Ghose, the term "alienation" was apt to reflect what is still prevalent in our society -- discrimination and indifference towards a certain section of the society.

"Art is a reflection of the society and what these works define is an outlook these artists have towards the society. They were associated and connected with it, and taking inspiration from what was happening and drawing it on canvas," Ghose told IANS.

"But it seems the younger generation is alienated towards this section, which needs attention. I tried to compile something that will give a faint idea of how art and society co-exist together," he added.

This is why melancholy is a metaphor in all the works on display, drawn on canvas using medium of oil, sketches or paint. The grim lines or the faces of people in these painting bear the sign of indifference, or perhaps unfulfillment.

Even Goud's colourful sketches of folk and tribal people and Chowdhury's close-up sketches of women give out sadness and pain.

Ghose feels this exhibition is psycho-analysis of society.

"I have tried to portray two extreme spectrums, and each artist's paintings come together on the storyboard forming a narration. It can be interpreted in many ways," he said.

The works are at display at Sanchit Art gallery till Dec 9.