Art matters

Having access to a proper platform at the right time can give the perfect amount of push to excel in life. Anything Art is a city-based group, which is doing just that with élan.

The group is created by an art enthusiast, Sayyad Shaiek, just for other creative people to come together and share their work. People who have a growing interest in art can join hands with the group to learn more.

The group meets often on weekends to learn the minute nuances of drawing, painting, sketching and the experienced members teach others what they know and share their creative knowledge.

The man behind the initiative, Sayyad Shaiek, is a creative powerhouse in himself. Having completed an MFA from Hyderabad Central University, he has been working tirelessly to promote artists at a national level for several years now.

Sayyad enjoys a great reputation amongst artists in the city and at the national level, he also encourages people to learn and appreciate art in different forms. He believes that art can enhance one’s life through creation and sharing.

“One can delve into the deeper consciousness through art, and the journey that the artist takes on with his brush, is the most satisfying. I am here only to hone and sharpen their skills. They are already very talented — all they need is that push in the right direction,” he says.

Ashuma, who had taken up the brush after a long gap, is in all praises for her mentor, who is like her son. “Sayyad is such a talented person and with this initiative, he is helping people to recognise their own mettle. I used to paint when I was a kid, but the finesse that my paintings show now is just beyond words,” says the 60-year-old.

Another artist, Madhavi Ramesh, who is a teacher at government school, believes that her success as an artist is all because of the group. “I am an arts and crafts teacher in a school, but my life changed for the better when I joined Anything Art. I have learned a lot from my fellow artist friends and mentor Sayyad, and I have no qualms to admit that the stature of creative genius I am enjoying at my school is entirely because of all of them,” she says.

Bindiya Gupta, another member, who has taken up the creative pursuit after a long sabbatical after marriage and children, says, “Love for art was always there, but due to other responsibilities, it had gone to the back burner. But now, thanks to Sayyad, I am getting back my confidence as an artist.”

Anything Art is making the right noises at the right places and according to Sayyad, he will do anything to give artists a platform to showcase their talent.