Art Zone by Pullman launches its 3rd exhibition ‘Patch of Blue’,Venkat Shyam’s iridescent world of colours, in collaboration with Ms. Ina Puri, Art consultant and Documentarian and Art and Aesthetic Art Gallery. Venkat’s paintings are a magnificent selection of his recent works that draw upon the life of the tribal artist in contemporary times. The deliberately naive & stylised narrative touching upon the myths & culture of the Gond tribe is magical in its use of colour & forms. Venkat’s exceptional work impresses once again & draws attention to a genre that is age old & cutting edge.
From culture specific painting to highly abstract themes, Venkat has done it all. He believes an artist must bring freshness to the time honoured themes. “When one looks at my paintings, one must feel they are traditional but at the same time, there have to be new elements in them,” he says.
Art Zone by Pullman is a project that is a manifestation of the hotel’s own design vision. ‘Art Zone by Pullman’ program has been created as a new initiative intended to add elements of local interest, culture intrigue and visual ingenuity to the hotel’s communal space as a real need has been identified to facilitate the implementation of arts within the hotels. We at Art Zone by Pullman are excited about hosting a series of art events that will focus on contemporary art in India. The lower ground floor around the courtyard will henceforth be called ‘Pullman New Delhi Aerocity Art Zone.’
“Pullman Hotels and Resorts have an incredible affiliation to design, art, photography and local culture and collaborate with artists and designers around the world to help bring its design vision to life. Pullman New Delhi Aerocity with its strong ‘Art’ connect has associated with renowned art curator and documentarian Ms. Ina Puri and Art & Asthetic Art Gallery for Art Zone by Pullman.” says Mr. Tristan Beau De Lomenie – General Manager, Pullman Novotel New Delhi Aerocity.
Venkat Raman Singh Shyam’s works reflect upon the mythical & contemporary truths that inspire his art. The patch of blue sky that appears like a leitmotif is alive with birds, stars & the crescent moon says Ms. Ina Puri, Art curator and Documentarian.
About the artist
Artist: Venkat Raman Singh Shyam
Venkat Shyam, has been sketching and painting since he was seven years old. Every scrap of paper, even the blank spaces on the walls of his home were covered with his charcoal drawings. When Venkat’s uncle, Jangarh Singh Shyam, visited in 1983, his eye caught the image of Shridi Saibaba on the wall and the sketches of houses and insects in the margins of the newspaper. He asked Venkat to come to Bhopal to paint after he had completed his studies in the Sinjhona village school.
His first painting was of the goddess Khero Mai, who protects the village from evil spirits and to whom he had prayed before he left for Bhopal. When Jangarh saw the painting and called him a “donkey”, Venkat knew his uncle was pleased with his work. Later, Venkat went to Delhi, where at various times he worked as a cook, a rickshaw puller, a mason, an electrician, putting most of his earnings into buying art materials. Here, he would often visit the well-known contemporary artist, J. Swaminathan. Swamiji’s affectionate manner and the respect he showed, treating Venkat as a fellow artist, would always lift his spirits. Jangarh Shyam death in 2001, came as a severe blow to Venkat. He decided then and there that he would do nothing but paint. Through his artistic journey of three decades, Venkat has integrated both modern and traditional stylistic influences in his work. Venkat has travelled extensively in India and to many European Countries, where his works have been exhibited. He was awarded the Rajya Hasta Shilpa Puraskar by the Madhya Pradesh Government in 2002. He was also the coordinator for an animated film of a Gond folktale, made by Tara Douglas, which won an award in the Tallest Story Competition in Scotland.
About Ms. Ina Puri
Writer: Ms. Ina Puri
Ms. Ina Puri is a writer, art curator and a documentarian. She has authored several books, including In Black & White (a biography of Manjit Bawa), Faces of Indian Art (iconic artists seen through the lens of Nemai Ghosh) and Journey with a Hundred Strings (on the music and life of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma). Ms. Puri produced Meeting Manjit, a film on Manjit Bawa, which won the National Award. She is currently the Editor of Art Varta.
She recently published a pictorial memoir on Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma titled, The Man and His Music. Her latest book is Raghu Rai’s Kolkata, the distinguished photographer’s fascinating narrative of the city and its people. Ms. Puri’s three-decade-long engagement with the arts embraces everything from tribal art and folk theatre to contemporary performing arts, visual arts and literature. She stays in Gurgaon with her husband, Ravi, son, Arjun, and canine soulmate, Leyla.
About Art and Aesthetic
One of the many paintings Art Zone
‘Art and Aesthetic’, an art gallery based in Lado Sarai, New Delhi, started its journey of promotional initiatives in 2012. Providing both domestic and international forum to art and its practices, it strives to reach out to wider audiences and form fresh and meaningful connections across globe.
With a clear vision, a focused agenda and an honest commitment to its artists and viewers, ‘Art and Aesthetic’ aims to introduce programmes to facilitate an inspiring and creative environment that provokes public dialogue through contemporary art – making.
Its interactive programmes will provide an ideal opportunity for intensive and resourceful sessions on innovative thinking and new perspectives on world art. The gallery has had an enriching exposure through participation in art fairs in Berlin, The Hague, Mumbai and 16 solo and group exhibitions in New Delhi.
