Contemporary Indian

The new art mantra doing the rounds is contemporary Indian. Check out artist Sudhir Kumar Meher's paintings where he explores with the new

"Sudhir comes from a traditional Orissa weaver's family. He learnt Patachitra,u00a0 the traditional painting on silk from an uncle and then went to Orissa and got formal training. His forte is contemporary art with traditional elements. He used to do intricate art and has nowu00a0 branched out into contemporary work. In this show, he brings modern contemporary art fused with traditional art," says the gallery owner and curator Raj Dutt.

Bright hues: Sudhir who dabbles with traditional paintings is trying to give them a contemporary twist this time

Sudhir Kumar Meher obtained Bachelors in Fine Arts (Painting) degree from the Government College of Art and Crafts in Khallikote, Orissa in 1998. After many certificates of merits for sketch exhibitions, he had his first solo at Right Lines five years back, after which there was no looking back. He participated in many group shows and planned to settle in Bangalore.

Sudhir also took part in many artists' camps and workshops, some of the prominent ones being workshop on pata paintings organised by Handicrafts Development Centre, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa and A camp Sea-life organised by the Government Art College, Orissa and was part of the Signature camp for Peace a 40 metre long canvas painting by four artists, organised by Prarambh, on August 15 at MG Road in the city.

Today, his paintings are in numerous collections in India and abroad.

Talking about his latest creation, where he's fused the traditional with the contemporary, he avers, "I myself get the tussar silk loomed from Orissa and use only pure natural silk. I have tried to blend both the traditional with the contemporary inspired by traditional Orissa paintings of human figurines of Lord Krishna and others, but I have twisted those around trees, flowers. My paintings revolve around universal thoughts. I have titled one of the paintings Elements of Nature."

He adds, "I will be conducting an art training from September 4 to September 6 at the Right Lines art gallery. I am trying to squeeze a complete art training in three days, which normally takes atleast 10 days. I will teach how to directly paint with acrylic on silk. I will also teach mounting on the board, drawing on the cloth, outline and then colouring on it. The gallery will provide a painting each to all the participants."

When: August 28 to September 12
At: Right Lines Art Gallery, 270, 1st Main, Defence Colony, Indiranagar
Call: 2527 2827
Wallet factor: Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 for 5 by 4 size

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