More than 15 million people live in Mumbai – waging a losing battle for survival in the congested, dirty city. How do they react? Not a happy situation, not a pleasant image. Not at all a comfortable, healthy life…
Asked what was the most important aspect of his paintings, artist Nanda Das said: “Seeing is more important, I believe. It is almost akin to seeing is believing – a belief that develops from observation or rather from visual perception. The rest goes easily and spontaneously – that’s no problem. One can paint anything. To see and judge whether what one does is good or not, is most difficult and is the single, pertinent question too. Duchamp has demonstrated this. It is not merely a matter of working with your own hands. It is not about being able to do something that one sees what it is. Seeing is the decisive act which equates the artist and the viewer. In the beginning, a painting for me was a subtle observation, a higher and questful meditation, an immediately powerful passion. …I could make a photograph my subject and in my creative quest and enthusiasm an even better painting – a stimulation.
Nanda Das’ exhibition will begin at the Tao Art Gallery from tomorrow and go on till Sept. 30. Contact: 24918585.