Explore the persona at Delhi painting exhibition

A group exhibition of 14 prominent artists here is offering art lovers an opportunity to understand the depth of involvement that goes into putting across an artist's feelings on canvas, especially in portraits.

The special exhibition titled "Identity Proclaimed: Exploring The Persona" reflects how drawing portraits requires establishing an intimate bond with the subject, fathoming his mind through eyes and revealing details about a life through brush strokes.

The works of artists like Akbar Padamsee, Chippa Sudhakar, Ganesh Pyne, Jogen Choudhary, Kavita Deuskar, Manu Parekh, Neeraj Goswami and Paresh Maity among others have exhibited portraits dipped in different mediums at the group show displayed at Gallerie Ganesh of the capital.

"I am fond of creating expressionistic, abstract portraits. When I make 'heads', I feel I can impart to it a range of emotions. When we create an entire human form, it has movement, a rhythm and dynamism. But portraiture work is stable and profound," said Goswami.

Goswami likes to focus on the eyes in his work, which he believes are "a reflection of a person's soul, and even his state of mind".

For him, making portraits is like revisiting one's roots.

"In today's digitalised world and technology-driven art, making portraits makes art more humane. It's an attempt at self-realisation, both to delve into our inner selves and also to go back to where we all started as artists," he added.

Delhi-based Manu Parekh admitted when he paints heads, he paints an expression.

"When I paint an expression, I don't paint an expression alone. I create a situation and an atmosphere. This has evolved from the fact that I was involved with Gujarati theatre during my college days and for me, 'head' is the most powerful way of expressing emotions," said Parekh.

The artists have dipped their brushes in oil, acrylic and watercolour on canvas, acrylic and paper.

The month-long exhibition which commenced in the capital on Thursday will last till April 15.