Canvas on campus
2 shows by BFA students of Sri Venkateswara College of Fine Arts and XII students of Oakridge Int'l School were highlight of this week.
Breaking barriers
A Muslim girl wearing a hijab and a boy of African origin, performing ballet together on stage is quite contrary to the popular image of what ballet is all about.
In one of the paintings displayed, Nikitha Matta uses the power of imagination to bring out the value of ethnic diversity. And she isn’t alone, four standard XII students of Oakridge International School have come together to exhibit their work in the show — Artistic Avenue.
The two-day exhibition had an influx of paintings, that was enhanced with a mix of photographs and installations too. As you walk through the gallery among the 70 works on display there are a few that will make you stop in your tracks; Meha Ray’s installation is one of them.
Titled Constructive Odyssey, this project started a couple of years ago. “I am fascinated by buildings and how each one tells a story,” says Meha. That love reflected through a futuristic 3D model of a building made out of paper.
Another studen t, whose love for architecture was evident through her art, was Nikitha Matta who also shot photos of miniatures of iconic buildings across the world.
“This project wasn’t easy, I travelled to each of these places, bought the miniatures and shot them. I love miniatures and I decided to it further with this show,” she explains. While Abhirami Reddy Alla’s art touched topics like space and time, Swetha Jasti’s work revolved around the fruit, pear.
Five years of art
There is excitement in the air at the gallery. This is the first big art show for the BFA students of Sri Venkateswara College of Fine Arts and so the enthusiasm is a given.
Close to 60 works were displayed by 13 students, but there were a few that grabbed one’s attention — like the surreal art of Oddapalli Prashanth, who mixed non-realistic images with moments from his childhood.
“I mixed two media —serigraphs and paintings. In my work of a lunch box, which is something I used to carry to school every day, I added a photo of how I look now, in serigraphs. This work depicts the fun time we used to have during lunch breaks as kids,” he explains.
Over the five years he studied in the college, Mitnasala Abhishek grew fond of his friends and fell in love with mixing mediums. So for this show, he brought both of them together and used them to depict various social issues through his 11 works on display.
Student Sunitha Sathi’s works, however, are a literal reflection of herself.
“I love to be in touch with nature. As I try to relive moments through art, I place myself in various natural situations,” says Sunitha who displayed seven works — a mix of acrylic, wood cut and printmaking.
Each student worked on this for seven months. Lecturer Anuradha V. says, “We have done several shows, but this is the first time that we’re hosting one at an art gallery, so it is a big deal.”