Pramesh S Jain
I
t was a special occasion at chitrakala parishad organised the much awaited speaking tree whispering trunk painting exhibition of renowned painter HS Venugopala curated by Giridhar Khasnis.
World famous tree artist venugopal painting exhibition is dedicated and to pay homage to solitary trees in the wood,forests and rockey scapes and even in urban jungle.
Venugopala studied painting and graphics at the Ken School of Art,Bangalore,and subsequently at the Faculty of Fine Arts,M S University,Baroda.
Winner of the Karnataka State Lalit Kala Academy award,his works have been exhibited in several group shows including the Kala Mela.
Being a maverick nature lover,Venugopala’s contemplative images pay homage to solitary trees in woods,forests,rocky scapes,and even those in urban jungles.
His technically proficient,conceptually vibrant,and structurally expressive sketches and paintings capture the soul,serenity and stillness of trees.
They reveal a poetic engagement in which the spiritual and the sensual come together in unexpected ways.
In particular,the tree trunk holds a special allure to the artist.With its robust physicality and rough construct, the trunk,literally and lyrically,entices him to enter a mystical world.
As it unravels itself in many avatars,the bedazzled artist with probing eyes and inquiring mind becomes a passionate and meticulous impressionist of its curious constructs and lively arrangements.
A long-term engagement with the subject shows Venugopala’s commitment and connection with the tree and its fascinating trunks.
The forms and textures,shades and colours, accompanied by gentle sways and alluring flourishes in the paintings provide a deeply meditative visual experience to the viewer.
Speaking about his work,Venugopala said that regular visit,trip and journey and watching the nature closely inspired him everyday to sketch something the trees which are lifeline of every ones life is the essence of his drawing.
The poetic relationship between the branches and the root out me in deep thought and its cultural and religious relationship.
The same trees also on the other hand depicts as brave soldiers who have taken oath to safe guard the motherland.
This has given different thought provoking to different people depending upon the perception and perspective of the life they wanted to look at it.
Many officials and people from all walks of life thronged the exhibition and appreciated the art work.
The guest feedback diary filled with the comments and appreciation words which every artiste look for .
