An art gallery in Byculla serves as a venue for its non-profit organisation, catering to children of all age groups to enhance and encourage fresh perspectives and skills
A child poses in front of artist Chuguli Kumar Sahoo’s exhibit, Lost Time of Innocence. PICS COURTESY/ @DOTLINESPACE ON INSTAGRAM
Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.” These were the words of the celebrated painter and sculptor, Pablo Picasso, who believed that the essence of creativity was ever-present in a child. To know art is to know life itself, and sowing the seeds at an early age is a feast for the mind, body and soul. That’s what Dot Line Space, a not-for-profit foundation under Nine Fish Art Gallery, is doing through an artistic festival for the children in Mumbai.
Gourmoni Das, curator and artist helming the gallery and the foundation, explains that the festival is being conducted as an extension of their initiative, Bal Kala Shibir. “Two vibrant, young cultural enthusiasts approached us with the idea, and we saw it as a valuable opportunity to explore how children, especially from a cosmopolitan setting, interact with art. By sponsoring the initiative, we hope to deepen our understanding of young perspectives on creativity and expression.”
Students present their work at an art workshop at a zilla parishad school in the Devlali district. PIC COURTESY/DOTLINESPACE
Although aimed at students at the primary school level, the festival is open to children of all ages in the city. From pottery, community murals, self-portraits and cyanotype printmaking, an alternative photographic process, the festival will invite young participants to try their hands at such immersive experiences to build their confidence and explore their fascination for art.
Gourmoni Das
Das has a long-term vision set for his foundation: to advance from 2D to 3D model-making and introduce the same across rural schools, targeting more than 25 schools hailing from rural Maharashtra, to address their lack of formal art education to develop their imagination, artistic and creative thinking skills without any fear or judgement, states Das. He also plans to train local educators to spread the art form further and create an ecosystem where children could explore and birth their ideas, transcending beyond limits.
Children from the Red Boys Foundation during a visit to the art gallery
Those interested in the art of printmaking, can look forward to a session this weekend at the gallery. The gallery, in collaboration with 140-plus printmakers, is hosting Prints from our Adda, a collection of specially curated artworks that might just blow your mind. Catch the preview at the Glass Room tomorrow (July 12), and for those unable to attend, they have time till Wednesday, July 23.
ON Sunday, July 20; 1 pm to 6 pm
AT Nine Fish Art Gallery, The New Great Eastern Mills, Byculla East.
CALL 8169073581, 7021561047 (for registration or queries)
ENTRY Free (limited slots)
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