Trees turn canvas for artists at Raidurgam

Hyderabad: Art lovers have a new canvas to check out in the cityscape. Walk, cycle or drive down the Raidurgam police station stretch near Balkam Cheruvu and be charmed by the line of trees on the road that recreate an animal world.

This is the first move towards tree art in the city, done by a group of artists formerly with the JNTU Fine Arts University. The group has taken up 10 trees with the theme centring around wild and domestic animals. Not only has this given an interesting and fresh look to the road, it has also brought the art from compound walls and buildings to the road.

Apart from the animal world idea, the artists will also explore subjects like rainbows and flowers. The Bathukamma flower show is expected to follow next.

Ms P. Sandhya, director of Exotica Arts, who was entrusted with the job, said, “It took 4-5 hours for four artists to complete the tree art. The tree was first cleaned. A basic white emulsion paint coat was done twice to keep away insects. This also served as a protective layer. The design was then marked and painted. The tree art will be theme based, with the ones to come having a social message as well.”

Tree art is part of the beautification drive taken up by the GHMC. “The artists first inspected the bark and branches of the tree and then decided on the theme. Each character including the face of the animal has been painted twice. The tree art beautifies the location and also protects the tree from damage,” the director added.

Ms Hari Chandana Dasari, GHMC West Zone commissioner, will be allocating more stretches for tree art along with beautification of walls.

 The green canvas

•  Tree art is part of the beautification drive taken up by the GHMC
•  This is the first move towards tree art in the city, done by a group of artists
•  Artists will also explore subjects like rainbows, flowers  and Bathukamma