Lumiere: A brush with light

Women have an innate power to create. As sisters they create a protective shield around their siblings, as mothers they infuse a nurturing energy into a child and finally as a wife she stands behind as a driving force to help in her husband's dream.

Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and somehow valuable is formed. Creativity is another aspect of a woman's nature.

Giving life to something new can be equated with hope and light and therefore 'Lumiere' is an apt title for this exhibit by Medha Monteiro, Lucia de Sousa and Rima Dhume Laud. The title literally means 'light, lamp'. These women artists spread the light of hope and bring to light the enchanting beauty of nature through their artworks.

Medha, Lucia and Rima have stepped out to create a world of their own through their primary passion - art. Each has their preoccupation, but Goa and nature remains a common string that binds their interest.

Under the guidance of Beena Gangani, these three have managed to rise above the mundane, explore their creative ability and hone technical skills. With a keen interest in art since their days in school, each of them got busy acquiring conventionally correct degrees and building their careers in their respective directions.

The calling grew louder over the years, finally prodding them to pursue their passion and get formal training. Consistent practice has led them to produce works with a professional's refinement. If Rima captures nature at its best the Medha has verdant Goa beautifully framed; and Lucia's apt compositions hold the prized heritage structures in focus.

Medha, who worked in the hospitality industry before quitting it to pursue her passion, does capture nature and peculiar Goan spots with independent perspective. Be it a rural chapel, or old heritage bridge or even a typical village corner, each of her subjects get special treatment and bring out a fresh outlook. Using oils, acrylics, pen and ink with equal ease, Medha produces realistic works that can justify her serious efforts.

Lucia has an eye for detail. Experimenting with different mediums like water colours, oils, acrylics and decoupage, she has presented the hinterland of Goa along with heritage precinct and other subjects. Striking pieces in her oeuvre are two paintings presenting the extremities. Rural folk in a field lined with soaring coconut trees along with another art work that has captured a prime location within Fontainhas - the farmed heritage precinct in the capital city. Rima loves to capture landscapes and old Goan houses. Using her preferred medium, oils, she does paint realistic works that have appreciable details Nature and especially the foliage come alive in her works. Two of her paintings depict a pathway through the foliage that entices viewers and turns one's attention towards nature.