मना

मना वासना दुष्ट कामा नये रे

मना सर्वथा पापबुद्धि नको रे 

मना धर्मता नीति सोडू नको हो 

मना अंतरी सार वीचार राहो 

Tiny canvas artwork for Saint Ramdas' manache sholka (मनाचे श्लोक) 

LISTEN

There is a voice that doesn't use words. Listen. — RUMI.

Kexperiment

Another sketch on paper; later coloured with pencils. Strangely the forms are quite distorted (in terms of finesse) but luckily I managed this consistently ;) This is a family of letter "K" (क) of devanagari also reminds me of single-blade-pinwheel-toy; we used to play with ;) 

Lettermuse

Its my muse. The letter 'K' (क ) of devanagari. The beauty of this letter lies in its simplicity, two circles (actually one complete and other incomplete oval) separated, divided, parted by long stick, line or border. Many connotations to derive from.

Experimental Tool

Thread tied at the end of a stick (actually carving tool) makes an excellent tool. Great texture, amazing fluidity and unexpected results – perfect combination of any calligraphic art.

Space

Another composition with black ink on white textured paper, with new tool I discussed in last post.

Simply love how the way letters overlap each other and create the dramatic space among themselves. Some tight, compact, some loose, some wants to be with someone, some wants to be away, some extends their hands and some literally pushes to make their own space. Eventually makes a harmonious community.

Ain't we also behave like this?

Surprise at back

I was arranging my old artworks and papers and accidentally noticed the other side of its beauty. How amazing the paper and ink react to each other — The patterns they form, textures they create; their relationship definitely works. It also opens the new doors of art of looking sideways ;)

 

Haanji Festival at Korean Cultural Centre

Ongoing Hanji* Festival at Korean Cultural Centre, New Delhi India.
I am honoured to be a part of the art exhibition along with talented Korean & Indian Artists.
(Bottom right side is my showcased artwork: United Family)

Here its the poster with other event details

*Haanji: Traditional Korean Paper.

EXHIBITION

What a great occasion to end this year!
We, the same bunch of people who I had exhibition last year at Arpana Caur Gallery, showcasing this time at Russian Centre for Science and Culture, New Delhi, India. Its from 10th Decemeber (Saturday) to 12th Decemeber (Monday) from 10.30am to 6.30pm. I know; its for a short period but it falls on weekend, hence don't miss it.
We are total 7 artists with different set of skills and styles. I am displaying total 8 artworks (of course-calligraphy ones). Details about show, venue, experiences etc. will follow in the next post.
Here its the invite. Please consider this as a personal invitation and feel free to pass it to your friends, colleagues, families, etc. If you are not from Delhi, it would be appreciated if you spread the message to locals :)

Hope to see & meet you soon!

Commissioned Art Work

This is a commissioned work did for client who is also a regular follower of this blog for her residence in Gurgaon, India. Recently I visited her place to see the piece well framed and mounted on the wall. This 'harvest' artwork is definitely adding value to the wall; eventually her space which is well maintained and tastefully done. This artwork measure approx 3.5 ft x 2.5 ft and on Natural Evolution paper with colour inks and various tools.

: : Show 2 : : Glimpses

Finally I got some time to post few pictures of the latest show. This show was awesome experience in terms of meeting different sets of people, getting their reaction and  appreciation was just fantastic. This exhibition had more professional touch than the previous one.
The venue was simply fabulous, its an academy of art and craft situated near Siri Fort (excellent location, easily accessible from any part of Delhi) run by the great artist Arpana Caur. It has two floors with basement where they have library, vocational training centre and of course two mid sizes exhibition galleries. Here is one of the gallery where we displayed our work. Many friends, colleagues, relatives (of other artists) were present for opening.

Some of my work, I displayed total 6 artworks.

This is devnagri 'T' with anuswara.

This is devnagri 'L' with double maatras. 

I also displayed some 'diaries' for sale. More details on the next post :)

LETTERFORMative : : Show {One}

Finally we took down the show! LETTERFORMative was an awesome experience. It was nice to know common man people are getting aware and amazed by this art, Calligraphy. Well, my intention was always to showcase Devnagri in modern form and should reach international platform. I enjoy experimenting and playing with various tools, techniques and materials. I personally like to make calligraphy more 'image centric' and create a visual abstraction of letterforms; where I am OK, if legibility takes a back seat. All letterforms have an excellent structure, body; its just a matter of peeling of each layer and exploring its hidden beauty.
Making an artworks were a game of ups and downs. It was frustrating to achieve a desired stroke after wasting days & days and papers or sometimes it was a joyful moment when accident with ink, paper and hand resulting in never-seen-piece.

Here are some pictures of behind the scene and actual show:

 Slowly going up

Finally all are up

 In the ambience

 I also made one lamp, displayed below (right side, Prism shaped). I am in the process of making such products.

Other artists were from JJ School of Art, Mumbai (Sarang, Noopur, Pradnya and Yashodeep) have a unique style. More abstract, slightly quirky and minimalistic. They have taken these alphabets in different level. This bunch is purely dedicated to type design and typography. I found overall more systematic approach than 'free' but that's their perception of looking Letterart and no doubt it was looking kickass!

Other artist cum faculty was Mr Kharsani from Ahmedabad, very experienced amongst rest of the gang. All the artworks show his trained and well-prepared 'hand' and knowledge of DNA of each alphabets. I amazed the way he gives energy and freedom to his letters.

I would like to thank Mocha ArtHouse team, my studio Codesign for their support. 
Here is curator Sandhya and me, trying to click photo of artworks, but in vain, because of stark glare and reflection; literally shooting stars, glares.

This show encourages and motivates me to do another show and look at this art more serious.
Yes I am already participating another show...see the next post for details and excitement.
Some photos by Vinay Jois.

Scribble*r

Some online experiments with scribbler and LOVED it! Thanks Ghate

Brownies!!

A brass cut-nib is lying with me since I bought it from Florence (Italy) two years back. After that I never dared to touch it, don't know why; may be I was scared that I will ruin its well finished, classy angle and material. But finally I made up my mind and used it unrestrainedly and what a BLISS!!
During this our first time rendezvous, I also found a new love for Brown ink which equally gave stunning result...complete Brownie points!!

 

  

  

  

 

Pictures by: Maithili

Corners of sketchbook

Ink flows and...