Bengaluru: Art has always had the power to bring communities together, especially when it is accessible. Bringing art out of the confines of galleries is the Whitefield Art Collective, a month-long art festival that is taking place at V.R. Bengaluru, said Sumi Gupta, curator of the collective.
“With this initiative, we have brought together master artists, students and graduates from reputed art schools and institutes, both from the city and across the country. The aim is to showcase their work, outside of a typical gallery setting, enabling audiences to access art and engage with it in new and unique ways,” Ms Gupta said.
This is the second edition of the art fest which features over 100 artists and almost an equal number of works, installations and paintings. This edition is a tribute to renowned artist, the late Yusuf Arakkal. Four of his rare works and a car painted by him in bronze are featured at the collective along with a storyboard showcasing his complete life’s journey.
Ms Sara Arakkal, who handpicked the pieces, said, "Everywhere Yusuf and I went we saw art. Our lives, especially his, was all about art. It feels good to see this tribute to him. I have chosen four oil on canvas works for this collective."
She felt that it is festivals like these that make art for everyone. “Art galleries are left confined to their four walls and the people who visit them are usually art lovers and connoisseurs. But when you put it in a space like this it brings in curiosity, especially in children and that is how art really spreads.”
George Martin P.J. and Murali Cheeroth also unveiled their special projects for the Collective at the inauguration last Friday. George's piece, which was a Skoda car painted with various neon shades, symbolises the fluidity of the present time. “I was inspired by the ever-changing, ever moving city life that we live in. It took me six days to work on it.” He was mistaken for a car mechanic more than once, he says with a laugh. “I love how working in open spaces brings people together. I was asked by people if I could fix their car. I mean, how often does that happen?"
The festival also has installations from city-based Ria Rajan's Moonbox Collection which is inspired by the phases of the moon and Rajasthan School of Art's Kathputli installation which featured a 25-foot-tall kathputli doll with an iPhone. “Technology has been a boon to women in remote villages. It is like a small bundle of power. We wanted the installation to reflect women empowerment through technology,” said Ms Vrinda Haldiya part of the duo behind the installation.
