Abstract paintings are fascinating because of the meanings possessed by the paintings and the meaning of these paintings changes with respect to time.
In order to bring out the magnetic aspect of art, Manisha Gawade through her solo show titled Magnetic Abstractions, currently ongoing at Art Magnum, presents her abstract works that are based on her journey and depictions of cities; New Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai, and Banaras (now Varanasi).
Speaking to her, she expresses that abstractions are a “magnetic form” for her, further explaining, “If you understand the medium and language, it can attract you and magnetise you to a million interpretations you can have.” She feels magnetised to the cities she has displayed. “If I did not feel magnetised to them, I would not have been able to depict them in any form,” she expresses.
So what is the feeling of magnetisation? In her terms, she explains, “For me, magnetisation would be your attraction towards that particular work, whether abstract or figurative.” In her series, A Tale of Two Cities, there is a certain haze that has covered the entire city skyline. For her, haze signifies, “When you are trying to go back and revisit a place or city. When we are thinking of something, we cannot always think of it clearly. Depending on how long ago that particular thing happened, there would always be a certain haze that would come on a sub-conscious level.”
She uses vibrant colours in her works and one wonders if she really sees the world as vibrant, especially in today’s times, she responds, “Vibrant colours are something I feel. Nature has given us so many elements, we need to live with those elements. Allow the colours to come to your house. I want these vibrant colours to reflect on people’s thoughts and feelings.”
“Krishna has touched me in many ways,” she says on using Krishna as muse, further pointing out that her relationship with Krishna began when she was in a coma for 22 days during childhood. Further calling it an “out of body experience which had to come out in my paintings.”
Her paintings capture Krishna in a different form where he is seen playing Holi. She says, “Holi is incomplete without Krishna. While I was in a coma, I could see Krishna playing Holi next to Ganga while I was hung from a 50-feet-high swing and bells hung on the jhula — it was always an aerial view of what I could see during the coma. I could see the colours and Krishna in his pitambar roop dressed in yellow.”
Speaking on the fascinating aspects of working with abstractions, she says, “For me to get the freedom to express and interpret what I want to say, just by saying something on the canvas, is extreme freedom, it doesn’t get any better as you cannot say it in any other medium. (Abstract) Painting is one medium that will always remain free.”
— The exhibibition is ongoing till Feburary 15
