Family Stories Inspire AU Art Exhibition

Visakhapatnam: The annual exhibition at Andhra University’s Fine Arts College showcased more than artistic talent, with students drawing inspiration from family struggles, sacrifices and personal experiences.

Held over three days, the exhibition featured paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works that reflected personal experiences and social realities, particularly those of students from working-class backgrounds.

For D. Gopichand, sculpture became a medium to honour his parents. His father sells ice cream on the streets, while his mother raises cattle and sells milk. His works explored the contrasts of hostel life, portraying the balance between loneliness and freedom, dependence and self-reliance.

Shaik Sameera Begum’s paintings centred on her mother, a tailor whose earnings supported the family. Despite facing discouragement from relatives over her decision to pursue art, Sameera continued with the support of her mother. Her works reflected themes of perseverance and aspiration shaped by that experience.

Pardha Pavani drew inspiration from everyday family life. Using materials including paper pulp, terracotta, fibreglass and banana-pulp paper, she explored themes of vulnerability and resilience through depictions rooted in personal memories and domestic experiences.

G. Lokesh Kumar’s paintings reflected his farming background. His series, “Belief in What We Don’t See”, examined symbols associated with agricultural traditions during Sankranti, portraying objects such as decorated bicycles, mango leaves, red cloth sacks and lemons as expressions of faith and continuity in rural life.

P. Giri Prasad addressed issues of caste, class and social inequality through his work. Combining acrylics, charcoal and pastels, he used landscapes and animal imagery to explore social divisions and the responsibilities associated with privilege.

P.V. Hanumanthu focused on the landscapes and cityscapes of Visakhapatnam. Drawing from observations of coastal roads, port activity and urban settings, he translated his studies into printmaking works using techniques such as woodcut and etching.

The exhibition highlighted how personal histories and family experiences continue to shape the creative vision of a new generation of artists.