As many as 40 works of Lalu Prasad Shaw are on view at the Art Musings. The exhibition is titled ‘Graceful silence’ – an apt title, sine we see in the works both silence and grace. Shaw follows traditional formats, but there is still a touch of the modern in them. They appear deceptively simple compositions, but there is something in it which holds one’s total attention. It could be the quiet emphasis on aesthetics and the simple lines. And in the face too, he produces enchanting expressions.
Lalu Prasad is a successful senior artist of Bengal. This is his second show in Mumbai. He draws perhaps mainly inspiration from nature, but the sources for his compositions on women might be quite different. What we see in his works is a great economy of line and colour.
The 75-year-old artist had his education in Kolkatta – in government college of arts and crafts. A gifted print maker, his works are noted for ‘its smooth synthesis of disparate stylistic elements, influenced by the pre-Independence Company School of Art, traditional Kalighat Pat and the Ajantha cave paintings. The artist’s works, mainly executed in gouache or tempera have a very still well-composed and smooth exterior.
The artist has exhibited both in art centres in India and abroad – in international shows like the British Biennale in London (1970) the Norwegian Print Bienala (1974 and 1978) and Paris Biennale in 1971.
The exhibition begins at the Art Musings on Friday and will continue till October 23.
Contact: 22163339.