Art has always been the forefront of human expression since times immemorial. From the first sketches of the walls of cave to today’s modern form, art has come a long way. Although our country has been a harbinger of great artists, but the recent urbanisation has led to a dearth of discussion of art here today. The Portret Project aims to change that by promoting the culture of art education in this country. Situated in a basement in VasantVIhar, The Portret Project is bringing to life bold artwork from painters all across the country. With plans to revive the rather largely neglected field of portraiture, they are exploring the complexities of how self can be represented in different ways.
The Unexhibition is a first of their events foraying into art education. With lessons in art appreciation to handling of art pieces, they are covering the gamut of experiences for an amateur art lover. You get yourself busy in meeting people from all walks of life as you pondered over some pieces of hyper realism to layering. Once the piece that you like has been picked out, you roll it properly in layers of bubble wrap before you transfer them all the way to AntiSocial at Hauz Khas Village to proudly display your curation.
Some of the pieces that caught our eyes.
This piece by Sagar Bhowmick captures the content of a man of lower means as he enjoys his surroundings. The eczema on the feet, the darker discolouration of the right feet suggesting a limp along with the clubbing on the nails suggestive of smoking are a few excruciatingly small details that he has brought out on make his canvas even more real than a photograph.His almost life like portraiture makes you sit back and notice. The intense characterization and the intricate detailing makes you feel as if the person just might walk right out of the painting.
This piece is a take on the multiple identities of a man. With bold strokes and photo manipulation, the Artist pulls of a masterful piece depicting the transition from rural to urban life. Drawing from his life experiences, he portrays the different masks he has to put on as he struggles with the daily commotion synonymous with urbane life.
This piece catches our eye due to the dual versatility of the portrait. The artist has used a thread instead of oil or any other vessel on canvas to show the versatility of the medium. But the real versatility lies in the piece itself. As you turn it, another facial expression pops up. He combines an abstract and a realism portraiture in a single piece which makes it a gem to behold.
Finally, this amalgamation of smaller canvases by Nagasamy Ramachandran is a part of another of The Portret Project’s show “ Dialogues with self”. Ramachandran’s wife clicked the photos of his different body parts which were later painstakingly put on canvas over 3 months. He has also designed the intricate framework hugging his delicate pieces of work. The use of shade to give structure to the body parts is what makes you fall in love with the piece.
We selected the first two pieces, then under the masterful aegis of Sakhshi Mahajan rolled them in layers of bubble wrap and culminated in installing them at AntiSocialAtHauzKhas Village. An experience not to be forgotten, The Portret Project’s forays is surely going to get the lost art of portraiture back into the limelight it deserves.
