Playing hide and seek with colour and space

CHENNAI: The show Colours of Serenity by Mumbai-based artist Jaya Javeri centres almost exclusively on colour schemes, aided and abetted by a few themes. The exhibition is currently on at the Prakrit Art Gallery at RA Puram.  It is devoid of portraits, self-portraits and interiors. It has to do more with the architectural beauty of structures (such as temples) and scenes with perspective. The pictures underline the troubles and worries that every individual has.This series is Jaya’s 15th art show and has a total of 15 works on display. Talking about her style of painting, she says,  “My paintings are usually oil-on-canvas. Also, I really enjoy a texturised art work and so, I use the palette knife the most. The textures add to the uniqueness of each painting and make it more dramatic. The palette knife strokes also help to increase the depth of a particular painting, making them more meaningful.”The current series has three sub-themes — ‘Leave your worries behind’, ‘Hide and seek’ and ‘Fire in the sky’. The series ‘Hide and seek’ is nothing but a journey into the vast ethereal space which has elements of dreams and fantasy. It is essentially about the mysteries created by the little Krishna and his accomplices. This sub-series reflects the innocence of childhood memories. The sub-series ‘Fire in the sky’ is an overtly dramatic theme which has been created using bold and thick palette knife strokes. The colours are mostly bright, vibrant and very Indian. The architectural magnificence of  the forts, palaces, and temples have been brilliantly put up against the fiery sky. The third sub-series ‘Leave your worries behind’, is about women who are troubled and worried. It is about the journey of young women who enter  a realm of comfort and peace. The shadows cast by the women reflect the worries they  leave behind as they walk into the light.  Talking about expectations from her current show, Jaya says, “When you are busy painting in your studio, you don’t get to interact with people. But during such exhibitions and art shows, people come in and it is really interesting to learn what they think and perceive of your work.” Though the experience is always enriching, the artist adds, “You know your art work is worth all the hard work when viewers understand and appreciate the story embedded in each of your works. I am hoping for the best”.The  exhibition is on till February 9 at the Prakrit Art Gallery, 102, RA Puram. For details, call 044 24953969