Environmental issues, as we know, have plagued people across the globe, and Hyderabad’s very own artist Sudhakar Chippa has worked on a new series along with the 14-year-old Ram Bahadur to express his angst. Suitably titled Dialogue, the series of artworks done on wood with etchings and carvings along with acrylic paint is on display at Shrishti Art Gallery and brings out the before and after of industrialisation — what nature used to be like and what it has now become.
Elaborating on his work and his collaboration with Ram, Chippa said, “It all began one year ago when Ram’s family showed up at my place in search of a job from Nepal. I hired his father as the security guard and over time, I noticed that he was abusive towards his family. Unable to deal with his apathy and his drunken behaviour, I had to fire him but I had also noticed how talented Ram was. His father, unfortunately, did not value his talent. So I took it upon myself to fund his studies and also to teach him whatever I know of art.”
For the class V student, it is a dream come true to have the privilege to pursue what his heart desires. “I’ve always been inclined towards art. Now that I have Sudhakar sir as my teacher, I am simply following his instructions and enjoying the process and the priceless feeling that accompanies the creation of art.”
The entire series has two sets of works, one done by Sudhakar Chippa only and the other set done by the both of them. The half-and-half series brings out the various sides of the current world scenario with depictions of farmlands being transformed into grid-like structures representing the city’s highrises, or of the destruction of sea life which is caused by industrial discharge. The one that caught everybody’s eye was the artwork with a deer on one side and grids carved on the other — an ideal way to depict what deforestation means to the world. “This cause has been very close to my heart. I’m hoping that this provokes others to at least think about what they can do for the environment,” added Chippa.
