A heavenly experience

A new solo exhibition by Goan sculptor and artist Damodar Madgaonkar is all set to open at Carpe Diem Art Gallery in Majorda on February 25.

Titled ‘Aapun Melyabagar Swarg Disana’ (You Can’t See Heaven Unless You Die), the show highlights the artist’s views on human behaviour through the use of popular Konkani idioms and phrases. Madgaonkar’s fascination with the elephant form has driven him to use it as a muse in his works as he believes there are lots of similarities between humans and elephants. The intricately detailed artworks are created using mixed media on paper and canvas and remind us of human nature and behaviour in simple mundane actions and decisions we make on a day-to-day basis.

“In today’s world, people think life is to be enjoyed in heaven and not on earth. So they do ugly things in expectation of a better life in heaven. But what will they do without a body in heaven and a soul to feel?” asks Madgaonkar. The artist adds that one should enjoy one’s life to the fullest on Earth because there is no better heaven than Earth and there is no better feeling than living life to the fullest. “Making life on Earth akin to heaven is in our hands. However, to make it happen, we have to work hard and not rely on others. As one has to die to see heaven, one has to work hard to live a heaven-like life.”

Madgaonkar hopes the audience will enjoy his work and interpret it in their own way. I always love to hear about these interpretations because they sometimes broaden my own perspective. Of course, I would love the audience to figure out my thought process without me having to tell them but varying interpretations only enrich the artworks he says. “These artworks will pose different questions to the audience and I am happy to let them interpret it on their own and not hand-hold them through the process.”

The exhibition will remain open between Wednesday and Sunday every week until March 19.