New Year, New Art

So many ways to celebrate art in the New Year! And such interesting ways among the many facets to Goa’s creative cultural mosaic.

One of the most recognised and an integral part of Goa’s art landscape is of course the senior artist Mohan Naik, who began the year with a bang in a bounteous showing of his most recent work at Carpe Diem Art Gallery in Majorda. Titled ‘Dev Borem Korum’, (the Konkani phrase translates to ‘God bless you’ and it’s used as thank you) the exhibition was a tribute from Naik to his beloved collectors, of whom the artist certainly has a large and loyal following. With a return to the brighter yellows and oranges his earlier works featured, Naik’s current acrylics and oils explore the subject closest to his heart… humans and animals living together in rural harmony. His signature goats are in almost every vibrant canvas. They find me and somehow make their way in: smiles the renowned artist. Do catch this lovely show that is on until February 9, 2020.

In a different way, the Goa Tinto Art A’ Fair’ takes art out of the gallery and into the open, literally giving art in Goa a breath of fresh air Held at Wildflower Villas in Saipem, the weekend festival showcases a fun selection of artists and designers along with home chefs and live music performances.

Presenting leading artists in a new way and giving newer entrants a platform — the delightful fair offers much to engage with. In its third and most recent edition, with the art co-curated by Work of Art, Goa and Zonelle, the fair featured noted Goan artists Shripad Gurav. Norman Tagore. Osborne Carvalho and Manjunath Naik. Illustrator-artist Saffron Wiehl showed a charming selection of her delicate watercolours and silk scarves inspired by her Love for nature and animals. Turkish artist Yasmin Bibin displayed her series of watercolour prints inspired by Goa - her work displaying a keen eye for detail, and a beautiful palette of pastel colours. Darpan showed a series of canvases — the layers of paint creating unusual forms and textures, some with an engaging geometric abstraction. Among the younger artist, Sakshi Mody displayed a series of digital prints in soothing colours – her journey inspired by the Japanese idea of wabi-sabi, seeking the beauty of imperfection while Russian artist Maria, a member of the Arambol Sketch Club, displayed her flair for line and the human form in a series of wonderful drawings on paper — capturing mood and moment with an unusual skill.

In another unusual moment, artist Manjunath Naik made a departure from his usual practice, his bold and vibrant paintings, to enact his first ever performance art piece at the municipal garden in Panjim. Manjunath’s performance was the result of a workshop he participated in at the Marina Abramovic Institute of Performing Art in Greece last year. For his first piece in this genre, the artist attempted to “alter the speed of moon in the perception of time” by drawing a ‘simple line’ but at a super slow speed, without taking his pen off the paper. By moving slowly, I challenge myself and the spectator’s patience and endurance to focus see, feel and act, says the artist of his highly intense contemplative performance art piece. The slowly drawn artwork took about six hours to complete and brought home the power of achieving a quiet mind in the midst of our busy hectic noise filled lives.