Exhibition showcases rare works by two masters

Artworks by two veteran artists, Anjolie Ela Menon and Krishen Khanna, exploring a plethora of themes ranging from pain and anguish to joyful celebrations are part of an ongoing exhibition here.
Titled 'Summer Dialogue,' the show underway at Dhoomimal Gallery here, has on display over 35 artworks by the two masters.
According to Uday Jain, who has curated the show, it is "a dialogue between different eras and people in the society."
Speaking on how he settled on the title, he says, "A lot of works like Anjolie's 'Summer Landscapes' or Krishen Khanna's 'Watermelon Eaters' are summer subjects. So, I thought they would go with the summer season."

The exhibits at the over a month-long show that opened on May 26, span over different time periods with the oldest one dating from the late 60s and the latest being barely two months old.
Although artworks by both the artists are thematically varied, yet the source of their inspiration appears to be common - the daily lives of people.

There are nude portraits and abstract paintings along with works that depict the regular acts of sleeping and playing cards.
"Both artists have spent over 4-5 decades in the field of art. Therefore, it is given that there would be a varied theme of works," says Jain.

Menon's works are reflective of her characteristic vibrancy and sharpness of colour scheme. An array of subjects from her surroundings - crows, empty chairs and kites - are recurrent and lend a graceful streak to her artworks.
Khanna's works are more melancholic and resonate overwhelming emotions of anguish and bereavement.
For instance, his work titled "Lament on a Battlefield," shows a lady on her knees holding a loved one's detached hand. Similar sentiments are evoked in another untitled work where a mother embraces her dead infant.
The exhibition makes for an innovative duet that unites the contrasting mediums used by the two artists. While Khanna uses acrylic on canvas, charcoal and conte, Menon prefers masonite and oils.

What binds the work of the two artists together is the narrative nature of their respective creations.
"Both talk about various tales or stories that have unfolded with time - more like a dialogue or conversation," says Jain.
The selling show, which is set to conclude on June 30 has artworks that are priced anywhere between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 55 lakh.
However, owing to the impressive response from the audience, the gallery is mulling over extending the show.
"We are getting a good response and since it is a masters' show, we might be extending the exhibition," the gallerist says.