There are variable ways for a viewer to connect to an artwork. Generally, through metaphors an artist believes in exploring this rationale. But Italy-based Mila Dau, believes in simple narration of this intriguing artist-viewer bond. She simply presents the portraits of the art viewing process itself. Her ‘Cutout’ series, comprising wooden portraits of men and women gazing and pondering, highlights the attachment as well as the detachment of a viewer in a museum setting.

Dau’s work was recently exhibited at the ‘New York-New Delhi’ art exhibition at Triveni Kala Sangam, along with six other international artists. These artists have already displayed their works in New York and showcased selected work in the city. Tara Sabharwal, one amongst them, is an Indian, curated this exhibition. Other artists were not present in the city.

“My work, like my life, navigates through the real and the imagined. I am fascinated by the overlapping of time. How it incorporated past, present and future. This continuous processing of time through memory and imagination is at the heart of my work,” said Sabharwal.

Other artists like Bruce Waldman, printmaker, illustrator, and college art instructor’s works deal with the tragedy of the human condition. He is fascinated with people’s relationships and interactions with each other. Through his art, he explores the tension and friction that can occur between people from a psychological point
of view.

Artist Jill Slaymaker’s work has been inspired by a medical book investigating hand shapes and illness. Its images of supposedly schizophrenic or manic depressive hands intrigued him. “I have been painting over its pages, creating groups of drawings framed together as one. By combining fragmented ‘puzzle piece’ images, I am able to form relationships that surprise me with their juxtaposition, and create narratives open to others' interpretation,” said Slaymaker in his statement.

The exhibition also included London-based artist Yehuda Emmanuel Safran and Valerie Hammond’s artwork.