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Modern muse gets stately

Celebrating the artistic diversity of Karnataka, the National Gallery of Modern Art revels in a rich body of work in this exhibition.

“Nature is not only all that is visible to the eye... it also includes the inner pictures of the soul." — Edvard Munch

Karnataka’s art scene has been a vibrant and eclectic one. With the National Gallery of Modern Art continuously striving for unique art shows and programmes, it was time for a show dedicated to the artists of namma Karnataka. The state has always had a rich history of art. The show contextualises regional modernism and connects it with the social and political context. The shows looks back in retrospect at art in the colonial period, Mysore Modern and it’s patronage of art, India’s Independence and national modern sway of the progressive artist group. The unification of Karnataka and the subsequent emergence of vernacular modernity is connected to the cultural diversity of the state, and was made visible in visual arts. There is a no particular art movement in Karnataka, yet there are numerous territorial trajectories of artists that bungle with national trends, perspectives and viewpoints in the dynamic transition of a country in post independent India.

In retrospect, each significant art movement development and impact of various institutions and foundations is obvious, making the art scene vibrant and energetic. In the post 1990s, contemporary artists of Karnataka have been noticeable and critically-acclaimed in national and worldwide platforms. Satyabhama Badreenath, director of NGMA explains, “I would like to firstly, thank Suresh Jayaram and his team for curating this show at The National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru and for showing continuous persistence and effort in doing so.” Karnataka has been a melting pot of different cultures and its unification became an important and significant context for the emergence of vernacular modernity, which connected visual arts to the cultural diversity of the state. This exhibition will put into context, the evolution, and the numerous provincial directions of innovation that impact the artists of the state.

Curated by Suresh Jayaram, the artworks showcased, feature the advancement of artistic styles. These works of art are drawn from extensive sources of organisations and people to develop a story of territorial advancement. Some of the stellar artists who stole the show were GS Shenoy, N Hanumiah, a unique and rare portrait by the unsung hero of Karnataka art, Late Hadpad. Artists like Gurudas Shenoy, JS Khanderao added sheen to the already glittering show. Words are not enough to describe the grandeur of the art show which remains in the minds of art lovers. The art show was supported by the chairman Sudhakar Rao who continues to support a lot of art initiatives in the state.

The exibition is on at the National Gallery of Modern Art till December 5.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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