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| 11_Tribal Market_Watercolour on Paper_14" x 21" |
3rd – 14th Feb.’20: Pradarshak presents “Saadgi” (Simplicity) Solo Exhibition of Semi-abstract Figurative Paintings by Umesh Bhoi
Belonging to an ethnic and tribal group near Nanded in Maharashtra, Umesh Bhoi’s paintings hold a mirror to the simplicity ingrained in the Adivasi lifestyle.
Intense and introverted, the artist is spurred by memories from his growing years, where his father’s (his biggest inspiration) figure looms large – strong and disciplined…the epitome of a strong character and head of family. The large format of Umesh’s figures is to a great extent attributed to his father and in some paintings, one observes the stick symbolic of his disciplinarian demeanour.
Umesh’s first solo outing four years ago focussed on the cultural divide and the hardships of the tribal community – his figures defined by repeated strokes and his palette dark and brooding. The strength of Umesh’s brushwork loomed large.
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| 12_Love_Mix Medium on Paper_30" x 23" |
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| 13_Untitled_Watercolour on Paper_14" x 11" |
Here’s in his second solo exhibition, one can observe the sea of transition in this artist’s repertoire. He seems to have made peace with the dark recesses of his mind to emerge and mature into a happier personality. While his subject still revolves around the tribal community, he looks beyond the hardships at their simple lifestyles – their joy in little things – their personas untouched by worldly woes of depression, stress and competition.
“Painting is a self-discovery,” says Umesh. “My canvas beckons me to douse it with colour and that’s how I begin my dialogue with it,” he continues, adding that he has never planned a painting till date. He begins by coating his canvas with gesso or texture white and then starts using colours like red, yellow and blue that mix and merge to evolve into new natural tones. At times, he wipes off large portions of one or more colours, at others, he repeatedly washes off the colour to reapply a new layer, always working on the new hues that emerges from his sometimes deliberated, sometimes unthinking mixing. And as he plays with his palette, emerges a form that his brush picks up and begins to chisel.
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| 01_Two Friends_Acrylic on Canvas_24" x 24" |
He is as unpretentious and humble as his subjects, who are defined now by softer, more curvaceous lines, their visages displaying emotions of gentleness, love, compassion. The palette has softened too, although all the hues – even the black - is contrived from various colours. Patterned foliage adds an ornamental touch to the paintings – indicative of the covert satisfaction of these simple natured and hardworking people.
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| 10_Untitled_Ink on Paper_8" x 11" |
The artist has taken a leap from his previous body of work and shows a marked maturity that holds the promise of several new tomorrows.
A show not to be missed!
The exhibition can be simultaneously viewed online at http://bit.ly/UmeshBhoi