BLOGGER ART TRAIL by GOOD HOMES

How often have you visited any art gallery in your life? The perception that goes around when it comes to visiting an art gallery is that one needs to have big pockets and patronize art.

                                            
For me, an art gallery visit goes beyond the shackles of judging the artwork and also whether its worth to be bought or sold at a particular price or not. Its the entire experience that attracts me and I strongly feel that an art gallery has much more to offer. My  thoughts were reinforced when I was recently invited for "Blogger Art Trail" event organized by Good Homes magazine during their annual public art initiative Art Week 2013 (25th Nov-1st Dec). The event involved bringing art closer to everyone by exploring some of South Mumbai's prominent and finest Art Galleries on a walking tour. The Art trail kicked off at The Pantry, Kala Ghoda, a quaint stylish cafe' with all white soothing decor and witnessed the get together of bloggers, art enthusiasts, architects and artists. 

The Pantry, Kala Ghoda

While enchanting Ronitaa Italia-Dhanu, Editor of Good Homes flagged off the event, the highly spirited Elise Foster Vander Elst, Director Asia Art Projects along with the Good Homes Team led the trail thereafter.

After savouring delicious snacks while discussing art with like-minded folks, the fun filled art trail finally began:-

1. Gallery 7
Treat your eyes with scintillating artworks by 7 inspiring artists under one roof including paintings, installation art and photographs.

                                                        Pic courtesy: Binisha Ajmera, Good Homes

In Conversation with Chandra Sachdev, Owner  of Gallery 7

2. Art Musings

What was most striking about this gallery is that it houses diverse artist collection with completely different painting styles. The ongoing exhibition was by artist Gopikrishna who prefers his artworks to not to be tagged as surreal but rather as a parallel world reality.

'Marriage of Fishes' by Gopikrishna

The gallery owner was kind enough to allow a sneak peek into Paresh Maity's upcoming exhibition "Symphony of Silence" from 10 Dec' 13-15 Jan'14. Yes, he is the same artist who painted the famous 850ft long painting for Delhi's T3 International Airport. Inspired by nature, his paintings are bright and colorful with the signature natural light on the subjects in his artworks. 

Beautiful landscape by Paresh Maity

3. Gallery Maskara

Go to third pasta lane in Colaba and the funky exteriors open up into a huge warehouse turned gallery hosting the exhibition "The Ideal Boy" by a very talented artist Roshan Chhabria. All his artworks made on tinted paper with sharp detailing using different forms of media seemed to re-accentuate that 'Perfection lies in Imperfection.'

Painting from 'The Ideal Boy' Collection

4. Sakshi Art Gallery

This gallery hosted the debut exhibition of a young aspiring artist from West Bengal. I was completely swayed by the use of vibrant colours, detailing and the unique kitsch on huge canvases beautifully exploring the construction of reality and glorifying some of the mundane activities in an unusual fabulous style.

Exhibition of Kalighat Painting in Victoria memorial, Kolkata

5. 1/29 Studio

I didn't know the walk through the busy dark streets of Colaba, going up two floors of the steep narrow staircase to reach the studio, was only to find myself pleasantly surprised. The door opened to a cosy and warm Art Studio with dim lighting and completed the definition of art gallery to me by exhibiting every art object that I could think of; be it the sculptures, photographs, decorative art, installation art, textiles or paintings. And when I thought this was it, I was treated to lovely live music by international performers.

Moulded metal mesh installation art@1/29 studio

What a perfect ending to a perfect day!

The artworks make you travel to a different world altogether and consciously or unconsciously impart life learning lessons. Nothing remains abstract or abstruse, its all in the mind and the best part is everybody has their freedom of expression and interpretation; be it the Artist or the Art Connoisseur. There is no right or wrong in the world of art. Who says its necessary to be a creative person to visit an art gallery? Any person who is open minded, appreciates freedom of expression, and simply possess zest to explore life would definitely enjoy visiting such art galleries. You never know when you may find answers to unanswered questions of life hidden in these artworks!

Thanks to the Good Homes Team to organize a memorable art trail that can be followed anytime by anyone again and again! 
                                                                            Pic courtesy: Binisha Ajmera, Good Homes

For all my blogger friends, I leave you with an artwork installed at Gallery 7 to ponder and tell me what do you think this is all about? Looking forward to your comments! :)

Vintage Vanity Dresser

Are you one of those who fancy vintage furniture especially the typical vintage style dresser. Oh come on, if you are a lady fond of vanity, you would be definitely swayed by the vintage style dressing table. Agree or not, its always a dream of a woman to have a dressing table with a huge shining mirror to admire her beauty and if its a vintage one, its simply awesome! Well, I love the vintage look be it in the reality or in my painting.

My painting tries to capture every woman's vanity fair; be it the oval mirror, cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, jewellery boxes, flowers and the list goes on. It turns out to be the perfect dressing up experience when you have such a fancy dresser. Not everyone possess a vintage dresser who wish to have one. But what is preventing them to have a painting like this adjacent to your vanity dressing  or in the walk in wardrobes so as to create the right ambiance and feel. I am telling you, it works. So let the vintage feel be part of your dressing. Ultimately the idea is to Feel beautiful!!..Isn't it??

Vintage Dresser

Fun on the Beach

Sun, Sea and Sand are the words that describe the beach. My idea of having fun on the beach begins with exploring the beach. The sand texture, colourful and varied designed shells, crabs, snails, different shaped pebbles and the list is endless. I am sure many people can relate to me when I say that the entire day can be spent on the beach just relaxing and doing Nothing! The splashing waves on the beach side create a melodious symphony around. Getting away from the hectic schedules of life, sipping your favourite drink sitting on the arm chair and admiring the nature and its creativity...who doesn't want to do that???

Goa is undoubtedly favourite beach destination for many not only in India but across the globe. As soon as one lands in Goa, the party mood sets in. The travellers' diary always includes fun, adventure and rejuvenation. Many people take back their Goan beach memories in the form of souvenirs or photographs. I like to capture my memory and the fun element of the beach in my painting that refreshes my memory every time I look at it! :)

The Beach Scene

Painting in Bathroom

I prefer my bathing space to give me a "spa" like feel everyday. Besides the decor, lot many variations can be done to bathroom spaces (often look quite stereotypical) to make it look beautiful and different from others. I place fresh flowers in a vase everyday in my bathroom that rejuvenate my senses daily. The aromatic oils in the bottles kept on the shelves spread a distinct fragrance to my bathing space. Like they say the energies of the home need to be balanced and bathroom is one space which needs utmost care and consideration.

Another way of enhancing the aura of the bathroom is to hang paintings that reflect the essence of your vanity. Though we often consider art to be displayed and limited to our living rooms and bedrooms, it really creates a great ambiance. My painting is an attempt to enter the arena of vanity dressing!

Bathroom Spa

Vanity Art for bathroom