Some of Sonali Iyengar’s paintings depict characters trying to take a long leap – and sometimes an impossible one – across and above the tall and small urban structures. The picture space is divided by barriers – signifying the ever increasing quest to scale greater horizons to complex, different and difficult hemispheres. The urban life which is most of the time very challenging, can be very demanding. In the paintings, the onlooker is able to see various elements on the face – trying to signify cross-cultural contacts, the advent of new categories of consciousness and identities which embodies cultural diffusion. The letters from various sources are seen appearing sometimes on the faces. “Whatever we speak, remains in space somewhere. This upholds – whether positive or negative – the changes occurring around us are imbibed on our mind, the human psyche. With time, along with humans, other species too have evolved.
Sometimes we see the surfacing of the animal strength, animal instincts within us. I have tried to show a state of harmony between the human and the animal world… In the urban chaos, we try to find serenity in the complex, diverse environments – trying to find the balanced equation, equilibrium in different, sometimes stark, contrastic elements to cohabit and coexist…”
All the paintings by the artist are done in bright colour. Each face tells a story, an exist state in an urban society. The face is imaginatively filled with different images. And the faces are those of women – with large eyes and mouth.
The exhibition begins at Museum Art Gallery next Monday. Contact: Mobile: 9833284605.