It was the debacle of 65,000 trees felled in the capital city of New Delhi last year that made me think about a show that celebrated the eternal power of trees.
Vriksha, New Delhi: Bhatt, Himmat and Paul-3 Masters
At Padma Shri Jyoti Bhatt's studio two years ago, I discovered his Kalpavriksha series—the symbolism flowed into his prints. I saw different elements of the tree come alive and asked him if he would loan me a set for a show I wanted to curate.
Bhatt's 10 intaglio prints bring to life, rural legends and tales. They form the core of my show at the India International Centre's Art Gallery. To add history to Bhatt's works are his collegiate friend Himmat Shah's 4 drawings, created in 2005-2006 especially sent from his studio in Jaipur. And the late S Paul's two photographs of trees given by his son add to the historic value.
Vriksha, New Delhi: Listening to Trees
When artists learn how to listen to trees, they achieve an incomparable joy. Arpana Caur's 2008 work Bones Prayer—Prayer for Trees forms another thought that tugs at our conscience. Neeraj Goswami creates a Tree of Life in jewel tones. Arpitha Reddy's Kalpavriksha brings forward the miniature format with mythological elements. Simran Lamba creates a stunning autumnal landscape with tar and oils.
Vriksha is about the imperative of trees that stand like sentinels through centuries. The trees painted by artist Aji VN (based out of Netherlands) is an ode to the power and strength of nature. Surrealism abounds in the way he translates nature.
Vriksha, New Delhi: Photographs
Late master S Paul leads photography with an impressionist tree. Venice Biennale star Soham Gupta shares A Dying City as a lament to the trees felled in the darkness of the night. Economist/photographer Rupin Thomas shares a heady portrait of ramparts of ruins and trees at the Heritage Park—Sundar Nursery in New Delhi that was picked amongst 100 Best Places in the world by TIME Magazine. Sanjay Das adds reverence while Dheeraj Paul lends sensitivity. Shyamal Datta's lone tree in Kansas is a classic landscape.
Vriksha, New Delhi: Gond artists
Padma Shri Bajju Shyam's dulcet tree with cows is like a soft sigh, his elephant with elements is a brilliant creation, whereas Venkat Singh Shyam's Van Devi is about the stories that unravel when the trees come alive at night. And Japani Shyam, daughter of Jangarh Singh Shyam gives us a fabled deer with antlers that grow into a glorious tree.
Vriksha, New Delhi: Ceramics and sculptures
Ceramics contain rhythms of the soil. Five ceramic artists bring alive the essence of the ecology of man and nature living in harmony. Vipul Kumar creates a tall 58-inch abstract sculptural apsara and a porcelain leaf. Saraswati Renata from Pondicherry creates an ensemble of 37 flowers. Shampa Shah explores nature's ingenuity.
Two bronzes portray the tree as feminine spirits—Seema Kohli's Tree of Life and Sonia Sareen's head growing out of roots. I hope Vriksha will morph into an oasis of contemplation. I'd like art lovers to walk away with Herman Hesse's words: “Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.”
The exhibition Vriksha is on show till July 12 at the India International Centre, New Delhi
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