Art exhibition 'Shantii' to reveal artist's interpretations

Carpe Diem Art Gallery, Majorda has organised a group exhibition titled 'Shantii' presenting the art by artists Manjunaath Naik, Osborne Carvalho, Aditi Pande and Gail Gelburd Gallery that will be inaugrated on February 5 at 7 p.m. at Carpe Diem Art Gallery, Majorda.

The exhibitionis centred on various meanings, usages, perception and interpretations of the word 'Shanti'. There are expectations of humour, seriousness, lightness and more through the paintings, photography and installations.

Artist Osborne Carvalho's speaking about his artwork says: "For me the process of an artwork starts while closely observing people at the local cafe, or by the beach, while travelling or maybe at a clinic. One such line, "Where is Shanti?" led me to produce this series of work. Savouring a dessert by the beachside is "Shanti" for a Russian tourist. For a teenager "Shanti" is a pornstar, for a group of students watching Miss Shanti is bliss. In my work Shanti is ageless, joyful, sinful, kinky and fun."

Artist Aditi Pande says, "The series comes at a time when I have been experiencing a gamut of emotions owing to the new found role as a mother." Though relationships are a beautiful experience, the artist's soul is often torn between its dual existences - that of her artistic self and the other as a social/family being. The meaning of "Shantii" takes on these newer perspectives through Aditi's works.

"Weaving in and out of the worlds I inhabit - that of the artist, a mother, daughter, sister, and wife - the works create a fabric that is familiar to most of us with its demands and tribulations. The works attempt to raise questions like the premium placed by society on motherhood and simultaneously bring forth the anxiety of an artist juggling the multiple demands on her time and senses," she says.

The photography by artist Gail Gelburd aims to capture 'Shanti' with its  more literal meaning suggests peace and calmness within. She believes, "Art can reveal the soul of a place, be it external or internal. It can breathe life into sorrow or joy and create a dialogue about an issue in an inspiring way. My art seeks to capture the unique qualities of an object or place and yet the Universality of its sentiment."

The Shantii series includes images of Buddhist figures from all over the world (Japan, India, US, Korea, Nepal, China, Tibet) who rise above or break through the debris, or mist or veils of ignorance, for a single moment of meditation or contemplation - a chance to find peace in the turmoil.

Manjunaath Naik who hails from in Goa believes in working from inside out. For him, Shantii appears in the form of an animal friend, aesthetic plant life, the family and through the pleasures and comforts of the male and female forms.

(Grand exhibition titled 'Shantii' will be inaugrated on February 5 at 7 p.m. at Carpe Diem, Majorda. It is open to all. The exhibition will remain open till the end of the February 19.)