'Essence of leaves': an exhibition explores women and nature

A Kolkata-based artist has portrayed the connection between nature and women in his paintings as he believes both serve as inspiration for life and humanity.
Titled "Essence of leaves", the paintings by Gautam Partho Roy replicates the various moods of nature and women.
The paintings in hues of bright blue, brown and black are a continuation of artist's previous paintings, titled "Ode to Lotus", which he painted eight years ago.
"I believe women are an essential part of the mysteries of nature and this I have portrayed through my artworks. The audience will see leaves surrounding, supporting and guarding the women in their various moods," says the artist.

The solo exhibition by Roy includes 26 oil paintings and acrylic sketches, where portrayal of "horse" as a symbol of "force" stands out in most of his paintings.
Roy, declines using any particular colour theme in the paintings and says, the inspiration drawn from surroundings can't be reduced to only colours.

"I haven't used any particular colour theme, because the varied aspects of nature keep changing so do the colours in our nature," says the artist.
In "Inspired by leaves", the artist portrays a calm painting of a woman surrounded by leaves with a musical instrument.
"This painting talks about different sounds in nature which serve as tunes to our ears. So, I simply try to put in perspective of the music in nature," says the artist.

Apart from the theme, Roy has also incorporated series, "Sketches", where he attractively portrays movement of women.
One of the paintings portrays a moon in the background and women immersed in thought.
In "Moonlit leaves", the artist has created a vibrant effect of light by using fluorescent green and deep blue colours.
"I have set most of my paintings in forests, in pools, women dressed in leaves and attended by butterflies and birds, so all the components which attract our eyes when close towards nature are included in these paintings," says the artist.
The exhibition is on till September 22 at India Habitat Centre.