Art Affinity, a group art exhibition which took place from February 1-7 at the Lalit Kala Akademi in Chennai, was an art experience that immersed you into the artists’ process with warmth and accessibility at its roots.
The art scene can be intimidating if you’re an art lover without much in-depth knowledge of art mediums and forms, but at Art Affinity, many of the artists were present – leading us through their work with a welcoming smile and plenty of expert guidance.
N. Usha Elangovan, State Awardee, Artist and Art Educator, showcased her interpretation of the Pancha Bootham (five elements) with two conceptual mixed media pieces ; crafted with intricate clay work on a wooden base.
An experienced artist with mastery of various mediums, Usha who often explores Indian concepts with an undertow of Western fusion, taps into the power of symbolism in her craft to allow audiences to interpret her work in the own ways.
Meanwhile, Qatar-based, multi-faceted artist Kavitha Murali Murugan crafts a stunning village scene in a mixed media piece that brings wood, clay, glass and more together in seamless fashion. Her second piece – a relief work of a Rajasthani woman, speaks of her diverse skillsets.
Another artist who makes an impression is Sandhiya B (@vannaththoorigai), whose bead work installation is instantly eye-catching as it taps into Tamil Nadu culture and heritage with an interpretative touch. A highly intricate style that comes to life with beads stitched delicately into a canvas, Sandhiya’s pieces have taken up to 200-hours ; with a quality that speaks of her careful, intricate creativity.
One more artist, Visalachi (@jeyasart) hones in on her own cultural background to represent authentic village scenes with her acrylics on canvas style. Blending vibrance with a simplicity that urges us to stop and take her in work, Visalachi’s work is impactful in its vividness.
Yet another artist worth mentioning is sand artist Raju, whose unique art form is deceptively minimal but incredibly delicate upon further inspection.
Curated by Gayatri Raja and Sai Arts Ravi, the exhibition’s immersive experience extended further with its live art demos spanning glass engraving, knife work, landscape paintings and more as well as village dance demonstrations and free sketching sessions.
Across a week of diverse events, Art Affinity channelled creativity into a sense of community to encapsulate art as an experience that anyone can enjoy.
Check out images from the exhibition and also find live demo videos on our Instagram!
(Images courtesy of Malvika Padin)
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