Saturday 27 December 2014

Maja Hürst : PEGASUS & FOAL Mural, Tvak Ahmedabad

Tika Thek

Mural at Tvak residential art studios and Sunshine School of Arts

Maja Hürst : PEGASUS & FOAL, Tvak Ahmedabad





Switzerland born, self taught artist Maja Hürst was raised in Cairo and Cologne.She lives a nomadic lifestyle. constantly traveling and shifting..moving every few months..leaving behind glorious murals that are in places like Cape Town, Cologne, Atlanta, Bangkok, The Gambia, Rio de Janeiro, Istanbul, Berlin, Alexandria and and Zürich where she spends a lot of time.




Maja has a diploma in Visual communication from the University of Art and Design in Zürich


Her work is Deeply rooted in d.i.y. culture.She experiments with any manual multiplying techniques like wood- or linocut, silkscreen print and stencil. She also creates by using soldering guns, knifes, brushes, pens, ink feathers, rollers, spray paint, scissors, anything crossing her hands. Often her works are covered in a relief of small hand cut silver-tape-leaves and integrated light chains.


Maja at the Tvak Studios in vastrapur, Ahmedabad.

She saw here a different approach to organization and liked what she saw of a large country like ours.” I d like to come and travel the country.. maybe take more trains” she says  

She has painted in Dharavi and Bandra where she was in close proximity to the community & met people from all classes and enjoyed the experience as she dosent define wealth by money. She worked as a a bike messenger for 5 years and she made pizza and sowed clothes and all.. developed photos and edited books and is a DJ. she always did something because she liked doing it but was an artist always somehow. .. if she also made money she was happy.Her universe is clear, graphic shapes and textures. The contrast of precise shapes filled with savagely applied textures and scratches through layers of dust and paint interweave abstract figures of humans with animals and objects to let our day to day life joust with our human inhetitance of tales and symbols. It reminds us of the circles of eternal vanity and leaves a hint of myth.




She has no one single work process but adapts to the context. Walls are approached differently from wok in a studio. she paints for people who will see the wall
as it is something she leaves behind and she moves on. She tries to think of what people will like. Her concepts depend on who lives around where the work will be.
Her studio work is more what she think about and what her day to day life is. More an internal journey,
“The wall painting is interactive n more outgoing. I love the large scale of outdoors and studio work is searching within 
myself the two influence each other and i enjoy both” Hürst's studiowork has been on display at various solo- and group expositions at museums and galleries around the world. 



Wednesday 17 December 2014

Painting workshops : Sunrise park, Ahmedabad

Workshop in Basic Techniques of  Acrylic and Watercolour painting

By 

Dishakha Yadav 

at 

 Tvak Studios 

27# sunrise park, bodakdev, opp van chetna kendra, bodakdev.


The first of a series of art workshops launching the "Sunshine School of Arts"
                                                              Managed by Tvak Studios. 







Thursday 11 December 2014

Life in Black and White ! A solo Exhibition of Paintings by Deviba Wala

Life in Black and White ! 

A solo Exhibition of Paintings by Deviba Wala

Ahmedabad / Bangalore


Sponsored by the Gujarat State Lalit Kala Academy



Her paintings are not just unique courtesy their being Black and white but also mesmerizing.She has the ability of combining the various shades of black and tints of white to bring out the proverbial shades of grey that all our lives are so full of. 
She has an innate sense that allows her to explore her imagination giving life and depth to the work. 
It is no wonder therefore that she draws her inspiration from life and every experience of hers, be it big or small, is translated into a visual representation. Art is the language she speaks, and modestly she admits that her art affords her the luxury of making something tangible out of her life. It is her art that serves as her anchor and provides her the tranquillity that is so visible in her every piece.
She deliberately leaves this series without a name. It is only to allow you to find your own meaning. Just as she chooses to be the woman that she is, she believes that it is our own interpretations and beliefs that dictate who we choose to be, or how we see the art of life. These paintings represent a style that is free of rules and pre-conceived notions.
Deviba’s art is a beacon calling out to like minded souls & she has formed some of the most endearing friendships with those who have connected with her art.
Here’s to finding your own perspective, your own meaning …



(Based on the conversation with the artist) - Radhika Narayan


Indiranagar, Bangalore 


Preview at lalit kala Ahmedabad



Thursday 18 September 2014

Kumar Ranjan - Showcasing his recent work in Ahmedabad


"Unadulterated Joy"

An Exhibition of Recent Works 

by Kumar Ranjan

At 

Tvak Residential Art Studios 

27, Sunrise Park, off Drive in Road, Bodakdev.
Inauguration at 
25th September 2014
By 
Mr. Umang Hutheesing.

Timings : 5:30 - 8:00
work will be on display on 26th , 27th September as well. 





Kumar Ranjan born in 1978, Godda- Jharkhand belongs to a non-artist family, took to art early on, around the same time he started to read magazines, books and articles on art.
His interest towards art grew and he wanted to paint full time. He has not studied in any art colleges or under anyone’s guidance. He is a self-taught artist. He believes that “art education has it’s limitations and every artist is in part “ self-taught.’’ Everyone should try to bring out their inner imagination through their art. A person is just taught technicalities in art colleges. Though any art college can channelize a person’s thought process, it is not the only place for standardizing any artist’s imagination power. The same can be achieved purely through love and dedication. He is not as expressive in his words as he is in his work. He reflects his feelings through his work. visual expression can be felt easily in his work.
His work is sequential most of the time. He has worked in different phases portraying different series, from A market series in miniature form. to a series depicting Empty Pots. Subsequently he preferred working on paintings of machinery and it was followed by another series of figurative work on which he has been working on for a while and continues to draw inspiration from. For this Show he is recreating his previous work. Work that revolves round his different moods and which he has enjoyed doing the most. He works Spontaneously, without any kind of pre-thinking, he just sits taking brushes and canvas in his hand and starts bringing his feelings out the way they come. He mostly prefers acrylic colors in his paintings as it dries faster.
He likes the work of several artists like Taiyab Mehta, Bhupen Khakhar, Souza etc. Kumar s work has a sincere pure, quality and each painting tells a story. 


- Dishakha Yadav 

Some of his older works : 




Thursday 4 September 2014

" Less is more " comes to the fore - Gallery five presents : EXCESS denied !

Gallery Five - Delhi

presents

EXCESS denied !

 An ode to Purity-purity of thought & purity of action

Being part of this show has been a wonderful experience. Gallery Five is amazing and the show is well curated. Lado Sarai comes alive with vibrancy during the evenings.  Mr. Sanjay Kumar Sethia and Yanam welcome you warmly into a quaint space that brings to art lovers a wide range of works by India's leading and upcoming Modern and Contemporary artists. Apart from the consultancy services the gallery hosts a monthly art exhibition. - Deviba 

The collection demonstrates the fundamental technical skills & conceptual strength required of an artist. They blur the boundaries between the everyday and art without succumbing to histrionics and excesses. They embrace the basic tenets of being human & humane.

Anjaneyulu Gundu .Arpit Biloria. Deviba Wala. Manish Barodia. Shahanshah Mittal 

invitation 

                                    

Mr. Sanjay K.Sethia 
- preview for Excess Denied


Yanam with a few guests from finland at the preview

Press coverage and event listings : 


 





Works at the Exhibition:  


Liminal by Deviba Wala

- Untitled by Shahansha Mittal
onion basket by Anjaneyulu Gundu
“The utilitarian objects represented in my paintings speak of the lives of the people who handle/use them in their daily little histories”- Anjaneyulu




rejections by Manish Barodia
“What a man thinks, he becomes”- Manish

Wednesday 20 August 2014

The Artist with a point of view ! - Kevin Tan

Kevin Tan

The Artist with a point of view!

by Radhika Narayan

Three weeks in Singapore was something that we had all been looking forward to for almost a year. We needed the break, my daughter needed it so that she could have her aunt and uncle spoil her while we visited them, and my husband and I needed to break away from the daily routine of our respective work schedules.
What I wasn’t counting on though, was a chance encounter with an amazing artist who had me thinking about work when I should have been holidaying. I’ll have you know, however, that I’m not complaining one bit!

I met him while I was ambling through China Town in Singapore, enjoying the views, smells and even the odd offbeat taste which I was brave enough to indulge in. The place was pleasantly crowded as I walked along Smith Street. On one little corner, I noticed a conspicuous bunch of people, ranging in ages from about seven to seventy, standing around what looked like an easel with a piece of canvas on it. As I strolled over, I realized that an extremely sweet mannered gentleman, and the work that he was doing, was the object of all this attention.

As I stood and watched him, I realized that he was no ordinary artist. All the while that he was producing this breathtaking illustration; he kept humoring his audience as they chatted with him and watched him work. It was evident that he knew exactly what he was doing, his strokes were firm and confident, he had an amazing eye for detail; and he was mature enough to know that all the people who stood around him meant him well. He wasn’t taking them as detractors, they were his subjects! And on some plane, beyond the physical, everything they said or did or laughed at was going to become a part of his work. The good time that he was having while working and interacting with those people, was somehow going to get portrayed in what he was doing. He noticed the newcomer to the gang, and looked up at me. “Hi”, I said as I reached out my hand, “I’m Radhika”. “Kevin Tan”, he said as he shook my hand while sitting on his work stool, “Pleased to meet you”.
I realized that I wanted to get to know this artist. And as we met for a second time in China Town itself, I realized that he was a man who was self made and motivated. Here was someone who had all the right lessons to impart. I knew that I wanted to introduce him to all the young and not so young artists who hadn’t had the chance to see his work as yet.

Born in Singapore in 1963, Kevin grew up interested in art. As a youngster he would find himself doodling on any piece of paper that he found, in fact he cheerfully admits that he wouldn’t even spare the daily newspaper, and would fill up with his sketches till it was unreadable. What today is a passion began as a hobby. Although his first love was art, he ended up studying in schools which had no relation to what he cared for most. “The need of the hour was to develop a technical skill, get a job, and give into the demand of the market”, says Kevin reminiscing. During secondary school he joined a technical class learning metal works; however, he soon realized that he still needed to choose his path and went on to study Graphic Design from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Subsequently he entered the world of advertising and has been associated with it for almost 30 years.




There was so much that I wanted to know about Kevin Tan, and only one way to find out. So I pulled out my pencil and scribble book and began to let the questions fly.



Me: What would you consider to be your style of art?
Kevin Tan: Radhika, I believe that I’m just aspiring to be an artist. I’m still trying to find my style! Right now, I am obsessed with depicting China Town, Singapore. So, all the work that you see is China Town specific.








Me: What made you choose China Town as a subject?


Kevin Tan: Well you see, China Town bustles with life. Moreover, a lot of my childhood memories reside in China Town. As children we would hang out here and have a whale of a time. If you notice, my illustrations on China Town always has children in them, it’s because I am often reminded of my Childhood here. So choosing China Town as my subject was actually a no brainer.



Behind Temple




Me: All your art that I see is in black ink using a fountain pen as a tool, I’m also interested to know if you try to use any other medium of expression?
Kevin Tan: Call me sentimental, Radhika (smiling broadly), but most of the tools and the medium that I use now has a lot to do with my childhood memories. While in school, we would use a fountain pen to write. The fountain pen is like an old, authentic, traditional tool; but it is still an effective way of bringing a new age China Town to life. So you see, in my own way, I have tried to bring the old and new together. I also feel that the fountain pen is an ideal tool to bring together current happenings in an old place which has a lot of history (such as China Town).
        Right now I am working on the China Town series, but I do try to work on other mediums as well. As an artist I do try to explore as much as possible. I think it is my training as an illustrator in the advertising world that compels me to search for other mediums. An artist, however, must adapt the medium to the subject that he wants it to portray. I look forward to doing a series on fabric. Fabric has a rich history, initially it was used to keep people warm, and slowly it developed into a medium which depicted the character of the wearer. Now it is a costume which depicts authority. Fabric has now become a story teller. My aim is to use fabric to tell various stories at some point in time.

Me: What is your inspiration when you start a piece of art?

Kevin Tan: Well you see I do my work outdoors. When I’m in front of a scene, I’m continuously watching for things that inspire me. It could be anything or anyone, a store owner, kids at play… I then develop the subject further. I take anything between four to eight hours to develop my picture. So in the beginning, I start on a raw thought, as time goes by I see new things and try to implant them in my picture. My aim is to make my still life drawing more interesting.
(photos)
Me: What do you feel are the important aspects that an artist needs to work on?
Kevin Tan: (Laughing out loud)… That is quite subjective. Personally, I feel that as an artist you must be able to develop your set of skills. Let me try and give you and example, if you want to use a tool like watercolor, you must insist on using a medium which furthers the use of watercolor and thereby improve your skills in that genre.
        Secondly, I feel that an artist must have self motivation. Passion for the job is a must. You must not want to become an artist because of money or fame, but you must have love of the art. You must enjoy every piece of art. Self motivation helps you wake up early every morning, if that’s what you need to do to complete a project that you’re working on. It helps you push yourself, for no one will do the pushing for you.

Me: What are the most memorable responses that you have received for a piece of art?
Kevin Tan: I post my work online. I haven’t really gone about marketing it. I do have a tie up with an art gallery to show my work. But I haven’t had a solo exhibition showcasing my art yet. I feel I’m still not ready for a solo show. I do want to do something and am still developing towards it, so I can’t really say. I guess it still hasn’t happened yet. I just have to focus on my work and leave the responses for later.

Me: Do you have a dream project that you would like to work on?
Kevin Tan: I have an advertising background and I have been involved in the critique of some work. Hmmmm…. Difficult question (smiles)! I don’t know, I have dreamt of having a wall mural for my living area (laughs).

Me: What is the best advice that you have for an upcoming artist?
Kevin Tan: Top of the list, I feel an artist should have the correct mind set. To me one must have the passion, and must concentrate on improving ones skill. An artist must be able to keep expanding his knowledge. I feel it is extremely important to work at getting an insight into history and how ancient artists worked. All artistes must aim to keep expanding and exploring, try to understand how the old masters have done it. Even if what you have is in theory, you must experiment with it, try and understand how the masters went about it. Work on important things like how to get textures, effects, views and try to imagine what was in the mind of the old masters.
        I feel that there is a strong need to study art history. Although I am an artist myself, I spend hours studying other works. I don’t think anyone can start anything new. There are always others who have done it before. Studying their work can help you get your act together, instead of reinventing the wheel you can work on bettering what they have done. An artist must be a student first. Don’t think about making money because I feel that that would be the wrong approach.
        Everyday that I wake up I am dedicated to being an artist.

        I have to put my soul and love into the work.






Me: Who would you call your favorite artist?
Kevin Tan: I think my favorite artist would be Rembrandt. He has done a lot of detailed work and he was instrumental in changing the culture of art during that time. He introduced depth in art at a time when art was just more or less two dimensional. As I study books on Rembrandt to understand him more, I see the control that he exercises on light and color and that truly inspires me. During the time that he was working he was not paid much, but he insisted on art. I truly feel that artists such as Rembrandt relied on “the art of life” to produce what they did. Art has made subtle advancements throughout the ages; Rembrandt is one man who facilitated such an advance.

Me: What medium do you think is the best for a young artist?
Kevin Tan: I really wonder whether I am qualified to suggest a medium to anyone. Having said that, I feel that the thought is important, the medium that a young artist uses is secondary. The medium is just a method to express your thoughts. Certain mediums are suitable for certain thoughts. If an artist believes that oil is a suitable medium to represent his thoughts, then so be it. It is for the artist to realize if the medium of his choice is doing him justice.

Me: Lastly, Kevin, Do you consider yourself a professional artist?

Kevin Tan: There are those in the market who call me a professional artist. But as far as I go, I am still learning. I’m still like a young kid finding out new things for the first time, still discovering styles of art. This approach inspires me to want to know more. I believe that an artist is exploring every day. And though people may call one a professional, I believe that an artist is always learning.

Chinese Opera



Granted Leisure

House of Lantern




Not only did I have the privilege of interviewing Kevin Tan, I also got to watch him work for several hours. Even when he wasn’t sitting with his precious easel, He seemed to be always on the job, studying expressions, movements and various facets of the people around him. He did all of this in a matter of fact way, constantly interacting with them, befriending them. Not only was he in love with his subjects, he was also extremely respectful towards his medium and his tools.

        He told me that he had never been to India, but had always dreamt of making a trip. I have no doubt that the warmth of India will give him tremendous opportunities to create the art that he so loves. I, in turn, promised him a trip that he would cherish if he did put his plans into action. Till then, Kevin Tan, I wish you joyful art!!
                                          




Photos of Kevin Tan courtesy Dominic Lazarus. 

 

Monday 23 June 2014

Boon Pottery - Unique Singapore ! An interview, Mr. Chaun Siang Boon

Chuan Siang Boon
Tanglin Road, Singapore.

Mr. Boon.



I Stroll into Boon s Pottery at 91, Tanglin road , singapore and am greeted with a very genuine smile by the lovely Poh Hua , she sets up for me to meet Mr boon the following week,  and I am grateful.
The Retail store with the studio neatly tucked away in the basement. 

Come monday and it was difficult to contain my excitement . I had to remind myself to walk slow as  the store got closer, for I was promised a peek into his studio.

Pottery is a bit of chemistry and a bit of geography” he says as soon as we meet, looking around at his work .. “A bit of magic” I want to add but I listen instead, for he looks wise and his eyes shine with wisdom. “water and fire makes pottery” and I instantly like him. He continues “water gives shape and fire gives it colour to make a beautiful piece. You are not like a machine, meaning is lost in fast life.  You must enjoy work, touch clay, have fun.” 
There is a collection of work that has a nice fired clay quality but it’s a shade not commonly seen, he catches me glancing at the pots and says that it is Purple clay from Punggol.
in conversation … 

In 2008, Mr.Boon made an exciting discovery. During an extension of the punggol  river in the east of singapore, he discovered the most beautiful clay he had ever seen. Light Purple in colour, it possesses many attractive qualities. its natural character makes chemical treatment unnecessary and it throws well at the electric wheel, Working with assorted colour glazes and firing to 1200 degree C and above to produce brilliant results. He experiments fervently with traditional forms and his fav colour glazes . The clay is indeed uniquely Singaporean. 
punggol clay pots top right !


Deviba Wala:   why clay As your medium of choice?
Mr. Boon : It always was. it is there today. a million years from now they will still be making pots from clay. because it will be the only real thing. handmade clay platters n pots will be the only connection to the earth once we are done entirely paving it !
It is a natural medium. clay I find in china, japan has similar clay. human beings are basically same clay is like that. nothing else can produce work like this but clay. Culture strong Country Strong .

D :   are you a man of the old ways ? 
B : In fact I use technology for study and research. If I want to find something I look on the net. but then I switch it off. Technology can be use good or use bad.  
the workshop : offers classes to enthusiasts 


D :  tell us something about yourself 
B : been working for 14 years. I did not take my school education so seriously. My father is from China. My early lessons in pottery are from china. Work Method is very different That is very much like a production line. some learn only to throw pots, some only to glaze. I had to build on my knowledge a lot and learn a lot more when I came to singapore . I had to learn to do it all. I develop things a different way from then. 

 D : is your work traditional or contemporary 
B :  Traditional definitely, pottery is a traditional art. This work cannot be rushed. It is a pure form over time I have learned the techniques through trial and error. I prefer wood firing.
This work requires patience, behavior, team work.
Andrew Chua with his sculpture. he is an integral prescence at boons pottery. 

D : What is it like to be able to emotionally “move” the viewer ?
B : It makes me feel. i have no words. I do only 10 odd pieces. i reject work even with the slightest defect. I want people to have only the best. no matter who buys my work.or where it goes, My name is carried. I am very particular n passionate about my work. 
A sizable chunk or 90% of my work is sold overseas. I have spent a lifetime’s effort working with clay.

pottery studio : what dreams are made of !
D : Are the effects the work leaves ..permanent ?
B :  In pottery I like to make functional art pieces and maintain high quality. people are happy to have my work. it is a relationship I value. Now a days work is factory made. costs go down. hand work is more expensive so it takes some effort to find people who value it . I have support from friends and locals. I want people who like my work to have it. even for a lesser amount. you don’t always think of only profit. 
D : How do different strata of people and cultures interpret this type of work (such as yours).  what does art mean to you ? 

B : In the past my work has been purchased by the royal family and the presidents of different countries. People gift my work to dignitaries on official visits because it is a part of the authentic culture n heritage. ceramic work is one of our national treasures.  I am proud of that but that is not why I work. I work because I like to work. I want people to enjoy handmade things. 
sometimes I work for many months and nobody will buy my work, I will keep working, my rent will pile up and everybody will start getting worried and still I will keep working. I do not want to do anything else. I struggle to keep my studio open sometimes. The financial pressure is grave, but work is it’s own reward. This work I choose is a slow tedious process. the basic technique is the same. most people don't have so much patience. sometimes the most simple is the most difficult.

:)
D : what are the problems faced ‘market wise’ in singapore as far as the art scene is concerned ..
B : Sometimes there is a problem because I have to look for market overseas. singapore someday will open up more to with a medium like pottery. Now there are relatively few takers as compared to the other arts. To see more of my work in my own surrounding .. thats my dream :)
D : tell me more .. 
B : In countries like papua new guinea and Africa people eat food in bowls and plates made by hand. Man discovered firing of clay by accident. A cave fire ended and the clay formed hardened lumps and when !!  This led to the birth of the clay bowl. Pots n pans were made in so many different types over the years and it became an art form. Everything has been lost only museums have this work.I like to educate and share. 



D : transcending functionality ...
B : Apart from its functional use pottery is the medium I use to talk to people. I see people with low confidence and tell them holding up a crackled clay pot. look at it. its beautiful . it s cracked . but its beautiful. and it still has its functional use. its cracked only on the surface .it is a nice strong pot. 
it is unique because of the way it is cracked. each pot is different. if you are not perfect ,you are still beautiful and you have a purpose to fulfil
wheel throwing sounds very romantic but it is most difficult. 30 days i learn - then nothing - it takes patience. right amount of water, right amount of pressure. Glazes are minerals.gemstones and crystals are powdered and applied to surface before firing. The process of firing cannot be controlled in totality. every time when I open the kiln it is exciting.



ying and yang

different finishes on the inside and outside.




Pottery for everyone !!
My advice for young artists : work hard. interest is very important. no matter what u got to put effort. respect will come to you. practice and beauty will come to you.


how can u not like a man who says “ I do workshop for Microsoft and yahoo people, they have computer hands. I make them potter hands !! ” 
retired people sit and drink coffee .. I tell them make their own pots .I tell them all to pick up pottery, for there is no greater satisfaction. 



The interview was over I thought and then he asks me a question ..
you potter ? Occasionally I say. !!!!      “copper bits, oily magazines and saw dust you use now” he tells me... “make big fire and beautiful pots”. 




for more info or to connect please check 
https://www.facebook.com/boonspottery.