Gestural Intuition: Artist Anwar brings abstract to the table

As one views Anwar’s recent and large body of work, one becomes aware that his search has been to evoke this sense of quietude, and peace, through a delineation of colour geometrical forms and textures.

Artist Anwar, (born in 1964 in Ambha, Madhya Pradesh, living and working in Delhi) is of the belief and he approaches his act of painting with a sense of wonderment and discovery that is admirable.

His prolific acts of creation are an almost daily engagement with colour on canvas, paper collage or mixed media. They are expressions of art made in the privacy of his studio and he believes them to be ‘an occurrence of intuition’, where one discovers a language that deeply is internal and personal.

Made over the last three years it showcases work that Gallery Art Positive Director Anu Bajaj is delighted to showcase. “I have always loved Anwar’s work, his simplicity, his process of creating and his thoughts that translate into his work.”

It has been argued by many artists that when one begins to look for a narrative in abstract or a specific meaning, then one loses the entire purpose of appreciating the work of art.

Abstract art as we know it is an understanding and visual representation of shapes, colours, forms and gestural marks that does not strive to ‘represent’ the world as we know it, rather it achieves its effect through communicating through a non-narrative, non-representation.

Anwar also brings to his work the lyricism of an Indian classical vocalist, Kishori Amonkar, who belonged to the Jaipur Gharana. A suite of paintings dedicated to this singer goes from the whites and greys to light blues and dark browns. It captures the clear tones of the Sur (the melody) to its crescendo and then its melting into the warmth of the next stanza.

Anwar presents these works in one of the largest solo-shows he has had in the last five years.

Anwar has received multiple awards such as All India Kalidas exhibition (1985), Bharat Bhavan Scholarship, Government of India Senior Fellowship (New Delhi, 1996- 97), National Award by Lalit Kala Akademi (New Delhi- 1995), and many more.

When: March 15 – End of April

Where: Bikaner House LT Gallery