It was the lockdowns during the pandemic that ironically led Narayan Lakshman to discover the artist within. Introduced to the intricacies of art by his children, the Chennai-based journalist initially explored various mediums and genres, finally finding his unique voice in the realm of abstraction. Describing his depictions as “non-objective”, he states, “No other genre resonated with me as much. With abstraction, I saw a connection between the canvas and my deepest spiritual beliefs.”
Now balancing his two passions — journalism and art — his works are part of the exhibition ‘The Force of Imagination’ at Visual Arts Gallery and Open Palm Court at India Habitat Centre in Delhi till December 31. Presented by Chawla Art Gallery, Calcutta Sculptors and Delhi Art Society, the show curated by Nanak Ganguly explores intersections between tradition and modernity, bringing together artists from across India who have worked in varied materials, including bronze, marble, stainless steel, wood and aluminum. “With a curatorial focus on blending time-honoured techniques and contemporary creativity, this event is a tribute to the enduring and evolving art of sculpture,” says Shibani Chawla, Director, Chawla Art Gallery.
Narayan Lakshman sees a connection between his sculpture in marble and canvases.
If Barun Pramanick impresses with his depictions of the bustling ghats of Varanasi in a bronze sculpture outdoors, in Somnath Chakraborty’s Radheshyam, Radha and Krishna dance in unison. Subrata Paul’s Dancing Couple has a couple swaying together without inhibitions. Upon entering the gallery, viewers are welcomed by a grand procession of musicians in the bronze Way to the Dancing Ground by Tapas Sarkar. Debabrata De perches a bird atop a head in A Lover, and KR Nariman has his goat climb up a mountain in Mountain Goat. Vibhor Sogani’s light installation Magical Bloom is made of innumerable polished stainless-steel orbs that come together to form a flower. Discussing his sculptures that play with geometric shapes, artist Neeraj Gupta states, “Our cities are growing vertically and several ugly structures are mushrooming. This is an attempt to depict how vertical can also be aesthetic, and urban planning can create better visual impact in contemporary times.”
Neeraj Gupta, Makrana Marble,
Lakshman sees a connection between his sculpture in marble and canvases. “The oneness I portray in my canvases transforms into three-dimensional in the sculpture, depicting strong bonds within a community,” states Lakshman.
Describing the selection process, Ganguly notes, “Bringing together over a 100 sculptures by 14 sculptors, each with their own distinct styles and languages, was nothing short of a Herculean task. My aim as a curator is not to highlight those already enshrined in museums or textbooks but to elevate mid-career artists — to create a platform where their work can be canonised and eventually find its rightful place in the museums of tomorrow.”
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