JOIN USThe 58th National Exhibition of Art, organised by Lalit Kala Akademi, opened at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) on Friday with the distribution of awards to artists and display of chosen artworks.
The month-long exhibition features 111 exhibits by eminent sculptors, painters, graphic artists and photographers from across the country. The exhibits deal with themes like 'Bhopal gas tragedy's 33 years, 'Poke park', 'Civil war', ‘The face', and ‘Journey’.
Kalipada Purkait, an artist from Mumbai, had displayed a mixed media artwork focussing on auto drivers of Mumbai. “The artwork is the amalgamation of charcoal, graphics, pencil and acrylic colours. It took me one month to create this piece and am happy it was chosen for the exhibition,” Purkait said.
Overwhelming experience
An artist from Assam, Aisharjya Paramita Konwar, said that this is her first visit to the city and the response to her artwork named ‘Untitle’ has been overwhelming.
She said it took her one year to conceptualise and create the artwork made on cloth.
Administrator of the akademi, C S Krishna Setty, said, “Bringing the National Exhibition of Art to Bengaluru was a herculean task and we have succeeded in it. It is a historic moment as the prestigious exhibition is now being showcased in the city after a gap of 16 years. We are in talks with Kannada and Culture Department for setting up a regional centre of Lalit Kala Akademi in the state.”
15 artists
Governor Vajubhai Vala conferred the National Academy Awards on 15 outstanding artists on the inaugural day.
The awardees received a plaque and a cash award of Rs 1 lakh each, along with a certificate. The awardees are Aisharjya Paramita Konwar, Kavita Mehrotra, Suresh K, Nilmoni Raha, Ananya Dalal, Akhil Mohan, Madan Lal, Satish Hanumanthappa, Anil Kumar Bodwal, Harish Kumar Ojha, Sajeesh P A, Gukanraj Kothandaraman, Lakshaman Prasad, D Saravana and Vijay Bhagat.
Month-long event
The National Art Conclave, which is the highlight of the month-long exhibition, will be held on Saturday at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath premises wherein artists will talk about their works through presentations. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to inaugurate the conclave at 11 am. The display at NGMA is open to the public till March 20 on all days between 10 am and 5 pm, except Mondays.