Bengal through the lens of art

Treasure Art Gallery presents Art of Bengal, a group exhibition featuring 15 artists from Bengal working with various media such as painting and sculpture. The artists include Jogen Chowdhury, Ganesh Haloi, Sunil De, Ashok Bhowmik, Tarun Dey, among others.

The exhibition is organized by Tina Chandroji and takes viewers through a fantastical journey of Bengal through works of art. It was inspired by the desire to look afresh towards the uniqueness of Bengali art of the present day.

“Bengal art occupies a significant space in forming the artistic temperament of India. Each one has different qualities, but they are all sensitive artists who have unique things to say through the use of varied expressions. All of them have achieved a certain standard and quality”, says Tina Chandorji, director and curator.

She adds: “It is part of an effort to understand these artworks and their contexts fully to better appreciate them. These artworks, so diverse in their choice of themes, will enchant every admirer of Indian art and initiate discussions on the aesthetic sensibilities and cultural influence of the regional art of Bengal.”

“Painting is a response: a kind of response you feel from inside. For me, painting is a wonder. Every artist has their own world and they cultivate their world through their art”, says Ganesh Haloi, a participating artist.

His artworks vary through different forms: they resemble Ajanta paintings made millennia ago; there is an essence of Kandinsky, a spiritual essence; inspiration from Paul Klee and Joan Miro.

“Art is not deep, not serious – art is simple, free, and exact. Art is ultimately involved with the manner of living. There will be a time when we shall not be there any longer. All that will survive us will be our love, our time and our character, as part of our pictures. Art cannot manifest itself in its totality until the question of living has been clearly defined at the personal plane and the larger social plane. As long as that is not accomplished, all that we can have is fragmented, undefined expressions. I like to paint figures not to tell a definite story, but as they are independently acting by themselves as if they are just space and forms”, says Jogen Chowdhury.

This exhibition not just portrays art but the truthfulness, dedication, and pure love towards it. It is a meaningful step to convey the history of the land of India, its struggle, and its landscape to the people.

When –  24 September – 30 September, 11 am to 7 pm (Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays)

Where –  Treasure Art Gallery, D-24, Defence Colony, New Delhi, Delhi – 110024