ON OWNING A PAINTING

As an artist and having participated in several group shows as also solos, I notice the reactions and absorb the feedback which is sometimes amusing and at times, interesting too!

Before any show, I usually feel a palpable sense of nervous excitement to share my work, as my creative expression will be assessed by experienced artists and include those who are regulars known to  have an ‘eye’ for art.  Two decades of creativity has not diminished the pleasure of those reacting to my paintings on buying or the positive feedback after many years of owning my work!

My experience over the years while holding solos is when some couples do a quiet ‘tug-of-war’ over the choice!  The man invariably wants a strong abstract while his wife would prefer an abstract expressionistic work. There was this incident at a well know art gallery in my city that while discussing the two paintings, the wife turns and walks away, leaving the group around very nonplussed. She quickly returned to ‘her’ painting and grandly placed the marking that states “SOLD”!  “That’s mine!” she grandly stated while her husband sighed.  Later on he told me that they don’t have enough walls to add ‘his’ painting!!

On another event a lady had verbally booked a painting and another gentleman offered me double the amount!  I refused stating that it was booked and I had completely forgotten that incident till the lady reminded me recently and laughed at my foolish decision!  I told her that I would have lost the grace of a good friend had I made the decision over money!

Another lady had displayed my painting in a prime position of their lovely home and a visitor again offered double the amount! She firmly informed that she bought it for the love of owning the work and had no intention to sell it! I was truly touched and felt good that a ‘part of me’ is so well treasured. Years later when others come to me stating that they are never bored with my painting or that they would not like to replace my works with any other, my creative ability is endorsed.

There are couples who have playfully squabbled over two paintings at a show, till the wife condescendingly ‘allows’ her husband’s choice to be displayed in their home.  One couple, who have been collecting art over the years, came for one of my solos and the husband chose a painting called ‘Soul’.  Was that a sixth sense of a premonition on the choice of title and the painting, that he never could come for any of my shows, as he had passed on…

Those who love to own a painting for their pleasure of seeing it every day and to ‘grow’ with it are true lovers of art.

Lung Space

Having spent my childhood in the Capital of India known for vast expanses of 'lung space' with beautiful gardens and heritage monuments as backdrops, shifting to 'Garden City' was a challenge! It was surprising to see that every colony does not have a good garden where people can bring their children to play or enjoy a family picnic. Spaces meant for gardens are encroached and it takes a concerted effort to create awareness for public utility.

Such an effort was made a few years ago by enterprising residents of the 'Old Bangalore' colony that I reside in. People wondered if they would be allowed to enter the park once the landscape was improved, as this turned out to be the jewel in our colony.  The shining example of love and hard work of a few residents with green fingers, who envisioned a place for healthy interaction. Money and time was pooled in to create a beautiful space meant for peace and tranquility. 

 This is short-lived, as population  exploded in this once ‘unheard’ of little town.  The park is the center where  so much is happening in and around that it is mind boggling.

Around the park, walkers (while trying to clear foggy brains early morning) are startled on some days by Karate students emitting sudden shouts at irregular intervals.  This group of boys are very intent on the ‘actions’, oblivious to amused on-lookers or nervous passersby. The ‘action’ in the morning around the park is carried on in the evening – inside the park with less healthy intentions.   Here the ‘action’ takes place literally in the lush bushes between couples oblivious to shocked looks or interested glances.  An over enthusiastic gardener could be the cause for such thick foliage! Children frolicking in their play area wonder what’s happening seeing grown ups grappling each other. Their entwined positions would invoke Vatsayana’s spirit to shudder and realize that his Kama Sutra is outdated!

The park entry ticket appears quite cheap for viewing such X-rated scenes! Some smart fellows do the hurdle over the park railing, to avoid paying too! The erstwhile bandstand built for the ‘burrah sahibs’ to enjoy late night  dancing and merrymaking, now stands mute testimony to people groping in the dark! Should one blame such bold behaviour to the onslaught of MTV  or is this the heights of desperation?    One tends to think that they want to be part of the labour of love. I mean the park…. Is this love’s labour lost?