Check out quirky sculptures made of paper pulp and babul tree gum at a solo in Kala Ghoda
Narsamma
This week, if you drop in at Jehangir art Gallery, you’ll spot a two-feet high sculpture of Narsamma, a goat-faced lady standing with a milk cart. Created using the papier mache technique, the work is a part of artist Bharati Pitre’s second solo, Look Once, Look Twice. The show, comprising 45 exhibits, invites the viewer to look closely at ordinary, seemingly unremarkable things, and discover interesting elements in them. "For instance, I find it difficult to look away from someone taking a selfie with their various neck, hip or eyebrow contortions," says the 54-year-old mixed media artist, speaking of the inspiration behind Honeymoon Selfie.
Honeymoon Selfie
Meanwhile, a few other sculptures - a man drinking tea in a balcony outside his home and a couple enjoying quality time together - are inspired by life in Mumbai’s chawls. "While growing up, I spent a lot of time at a friend’s home in a Dadar chawl. I was fascinated by it - what the common balconies lacked in privacy, they made up with a strong sense of community," recalls Pitre.
The Forgotten Wings
The artist was introduced to papier mache 15 years ago, by visual merchandiser and freelance artist Sharad Kumar, grandson of National award-winning artist Chandrakala Devi from Bihar. This technique is used by artisans across India to make idols, containers for storing grains and decorating their homes. "Typically, they would use a binder [gum to hold the paper pulp together] that was available in their own neighbourhood.
On Marine Drive
These included methi seed powder, imli seed powder, coal, tree gum and multani mitti. My favourite binders are methi seed powder and babul tree gum," shares Pitre, who sculpts each piece by hand.
Bharati Pitre
The process begins with soaking shredded paper in water till it is soft, grinding it into slush and later, beating it to extract the water. The beaten paper is dried in sunlight and ground again, making it easier to add the binders. Currently, the artist is also showcasing an installation, The Forgotten Wings, at the ongoing Kochi-Muziris Biennale.
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