Private art dealer Swetlana Cardoso keeps up the art momentum in Chandor with a
series of recent showings of Goan artists. Her current show features three
noted Goan artists, Francis De Sousa, Nandini Raikar and Vasudev Shetye. While
there is no overriding curatorial theme, the works seem brought together by an
underlying inspiration drawn from nature.
Senior artist Francis De Sousa continues to explore one of his
central artistic protagonists – the fish – in a series of small format
watercolours. These works are lightly executed and his deft forms of birds and
fish seem to float and fly on their paper backgrounds. It is not unusual to
come across a touch of wit or a hint of irony in Francis’s works and the
skilful artist does not disappoint. Deeply concerned about global warming,
overcrowding, corruption and other manmade issues harming our natural world
today, Sousa presents a world that looks light-hearted and colourful on the
surface but within which lie hints of the impending disasters facing nature.
Known for her Tree series, Nandini Raikar also takes her
preoccupation with her subject further in a series of acrylics on canvas and
paper. Metaphor, symbolism and personification abound in these works, dense
with detail and rich in texture and form. Viewers are pulled in to take a
closer look at what is going on in Raikar’s paintings as there is always more
to it than what meets the eye. The deep connections between humanity and nature
are an ongoing thematic concern with her. Fascinated by the Banyan tree, Raikar
sees the tree’s entwined thick roots and branches as symbols of strength and
unity. She says, “These trees continuously shoot out new roots from here and
there. These roots are the inspiration for us to grow individually in our
lives, but still be rooted to support our families.”
With a passion for painting from childhood, Vasudev Shetye works
with acrylic and mixed media to present works that are based on women and
nature. The artist feels women are the most important elements of nature as
they have the responsibility of giving birth and bearing life. Ideas of
fertility, abundance and vitality come to the fore as nature and the feminine
force are seen as one in Shetye’s colourful artworks.
Curator Swetlana is keen for audiences to gain awareness and
exposure to Goan artists. She is also working towards exhibiting international
artists in the near future. Art lovers would do well to watch this gallery in
Chandor for its upcoming exhibitions.
The
current show is on until November 30, 2019.
