In the latest exhibition at Korean Cultural Centre India works of an Indian artist, Guruvinayak Singh Budhwar, urges viewers to experience emotions and connect with oneself

In an attempt to convey hope in the time of pandemic, Korean Cultural Centre India presents its first ever virtual exhibition by a young India artist, Guruvinayak Singh Budhwar.

Titled after a French phrase “Belle du Jour” which translates to “beauty of the day ” the exhibition follows the idea that the beauty one perceives on the canvas reflects the one within you. The exhibition invites viewers to recognize themselves in the artwork and fall in love with aspects of their existence.

“It extends the idea of bringing home the emotions that resonate with us as we go about our days. I believe that everyone who has ever existed, human or otherwise, can find common ground when it comes to experiencing emotions and being alive, and I tend to represent both these aspects in my art. Urges which we frown upon, or the ones we appreciate, I have tried to present to the viewers of this exhibition,” says Budhwar.

The exhibition has on display 26 artworks that are from two different eras, one from when he first dabbled into surrealism, and the other from what he calls the “Triunity era” –  in which one major element is repeated three times in the painting. 

This can be observed in his paintings which depict various different emotions. For instance ‘Mira’ is a painting that shows the spiritual journey of the Modern Woman that is often torn. Torn between responsibilities and muses, leaving her soul trapped in the tussle of these thoughts. 

‘Gwaenchanha’ on the other hand represents the crow, which is the usual representation of misfortune, death and obscurity. The sides of the painting say gwaenchanha (Korean) as a way of saying that when the crow comes, things can still become better. In the end it will all be alright.

‘Solstice’ shows the dance of the spirits. The painting speaks to how movement, which is flowing, can connect humans to celestials and the other way round.

“Every year, we strive to realize cultural public diplomacy between the two countries by sharing art discourses between Korea and India and forming a network through collaboration with local artists by supporting the exhibitions of young talented Indian artists every year. Through this first non-face-to-face online exhibition, we plan to create a new platform that provides an opportunity to participate in our Cultural Centre exhibition outside of Delhi and across India,” says Hwang Il-yong, director of Korean Cultural Centre India. 

The exhibition can be viewed at the website of Korean Cultural Centre India till August 21