The exhibition ‘Magnetic Abstractions’ by artist Manisha Gawade speak volumes about her journeys and experiences both as an artist and as a traveler

ARTIST MANISHA Gawade has spent a large part of her life in Dubai and absorbed the cosmopolitan flavours of West Asian cultures. Being an extensive traveller who has been trained in various forms of paintings in several parts of the world, her work is a fusion of the Indian as well as Western and Arabic cultures.

This reflects in her ongoing exhibition, which speak volumes about her journeys and experiences both as an artist and as a traveler. The artworks on display features cityscapes of Delhi, Mumbai, Banaras, Mysore, Udaipur and Dubai where Manisha spend a large part of her life.

Titled ‘Magnetic Abstractions’, this show is truly reflective of her soul as an artist. A combination of minimalistic abstractions and breathtaking cityscapes draw the viewers through its magnetic and sometimes minimalistic depiction of various cities and journeys to some of India’s rich cultural moorings.

The cityscapes have an enchanting echo and the reflection in the water is added to create a poetic appeal. The cities selected by the artist speak volumes from the historical perspective of the rich heritage of the country.

Over the period of last one and a half decades Manisha’s works has seen an array of textures, styles, mediums and surfaces. Exploring various mediums and extending her love for dimensions, Manisha has created three well-finished fully functional art furniture pieces, for this show with gold and silver leaf which includes a mirror and console.

Another work that stands out is the ‘Rain Maker’ – a wall mural inspired by the African instrument rain- stick which as per the African belief are known to shower blessings by its sheer presence.

“The pieces have been carefully designed and painted by Manisha, each having 15-18 layers of textures and paints, the process itself has taken her three years to create. They are juxtaposed with her paintings and are in complete harmony with her minimalistic approach,” reads the note of the exhibition.

Charmed by the Arabic sands, the artist is also known to use metallic colours almost as a metaphorical choice. Just as people sport bright clothes in the Thar desert, Manisha uses beautiful bright combinations as a lyrical interplay both in her abstracts and cityscapes.

The abstractions have been inspired by both dreams and realities of interpersonal relationships and narrating tales of a life well lived. A third dimension of spirituality and her devotion to the divine is clearly visible as she calls it, “the presence of the Niraakaar”- God in no specific form.

The exhibition is on display at Gallery Art Magnum till February 15