Giving Daxa-na to her masters

It would take some guts for an artist to recreate the work of masters like Leonardo Da Vinci, Ingres Montauban, Boucher and display them. But Daxa Khandwala's love for these master artists has inspired her new body of work 'Renaissance Avataar' which will be showcased at the Jehangir Art Gallery from June 18. Here's what you'll find there:


PIC/ SATYAJIT DESAI

On show
I have attempted paintings like Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper, The Grand Odalisque of Ingres Montauban and Boucher's Madame De Pompadour. I don't claim that I can recreate the beauty and perfection of these masters, but this collection is more of a tribute to them. There are very few artists who would recreate such paintings, because comparisons would be inevitable. So, this show is just a reflection of my love and admiration for the masters.

Mad over the masters
I have been recreating the works of masters since 1980. But all the paintings I made were gifted to relatives, friends, clients and family. I held my first exhibition in 2003. All my life, I have been studying the works of these artists. I went to the Louvre in Paris in 1995, where I spent a lot of time understanding their work.

Family support
I come from a business family of Surat, and there was no inclination towards art in my family. As a child, I gave all the elementary and intermediate exams but there was no training after that. I got married in 1977 and came to Mumbai. Fortunately, my husband, Paresh is an art lover.
One day, he saw me making sketches and told me to make greeting cards for his clients. Then, he got me canvases, paints, easel and all the stuff required to paint. His motivation has been tremendous. Today, everyone including my daughters-in-law and grand children are motivating me to further my art career. I am very happy to be doing what I am doing.