Art News: ‘Is Tarah Bhi’ by Amitabh Ashesh

Amitabh Ashesh unveils new conceptual foundations for painting in Bengaluru

‘Is Tarah Bhi’, a painting exhibition showcasing Amitabh Ashesh’s original work on ‘Yufism,’ will be on display at the Bangalore International Centre between 7-11 September.

An Alumnus of the IIT and Stanford University’s art department, Amitabh trained under contemporary stalwarts, including Frank Lobdell of the Bay Area Figurative Movement.

The Yufist compositional platform produces a new class of imagery where scenic, figurative and invisible elements share attributes. Windows become blocks of light, rain drops form a trail of ornamental beads and rippling sea waves are worn as a skirt.

In her curatorial note, Carmelita Brunetti writes, "Amitabh Ashesh, an Indian painter, stands out in contemporary art by introducing a sophisticated visual and ideational language. His exploration of forms reflects a profound contemplation of fundamental principles, skillfully navigating between phytomorphic and mechanomorphic elements. This duality between nature and technology finds harmonious synthesis in his works, imbued with a quality that can be described as 'yufism'."

Amitabh explains, "Yufism pilots distinctive compositional principles and constructs into painting. They provide an underpinning for aesthetics and subject themes to ride."

Regarding his thematic compositions, he elaborates, ‘In accompanying my wife, I have often found subjects. My own love for swimming, tennis, the garden and friendships across countries are another source.

Each painting is complemented with a titular poem, nucleating its meanings and letting viewers engage parallely via literary associations. Collective recollection of similar scenery in quotidian Indian life abounds. Bangalore’s famed Brigade Road, home cooking and street dogs fed by kind strangers are given a fresh perspective.

‘Funnily, the wife of a famous British painter recently wondered why I didn't paint Indian scenes. She interpreted a saree clad woman as Western because of their edgy, out the box form,’ recalls Amitabh.

“I never thought this was possible. This is totally different, unique and inspiring…It’s a new approach that has to be explored, it is truly intriguing,’ says Vanidas Mangathil, a Bangalore-based artist.

For further details about the event, visit istarah.art or contact bangaloreinternationalcentre.org

- Excerpt from press release written by Nukso Chakma

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