Gallery Gitanjali is hosting Sadguru Chendvankar’s latest series, entitled ‘Spires in The Sky’, a lyrical meditation on the churches of Goa. It will be inaugurated on February 19 at 6 p.m. NT BUZZ finds out more about the work and the artist
Naguesh Rao Sardessai
Sadguru Chendvankar’s exhibition titled ‘Spires In The Sky’ at the Gallery Gitanjali, Fontainhas, Panaji has painting depicting soaring churches almost kissing the sky, verdant fields enveloping the pristine white chapels in its embrace, sun, the moon and the stars as well hovering as mute spectators.
Tapering conical and pyramidal structure on the top of churches in Sadguru’s paintings unassumingly speak of the need to stretch, a little more, to receive divine grace. Grace is a two way street and Sadguru does his bit by way of his paintings.
Painting for him is a sadhana (dedicated practice) and a path to attain that sought after blissful state. Disciplined practitioner that he is, Sadguru, in his mid sixties now, works throughout the day, in his quiet studio at Sangolda amidst lush green fields and milky white chapels.
Inspired by the church structures from the time he set his foot in Goa, one could find these edifices reoccurring with regularity in his paintings. However, in the recent past, the churches began to move centre stage and occupy the dominant position in Sadguru’s compositions.
Each of his latest creations on display is an example in aesthetic value. Apt combination of hues washed over the thoughtfully divided space and tactile texture it infuses visual appeal to the works. Interesting patterns built over juxtaposed forms throw up a riot of colours and gives birth to evocative tapestry.
Folk elements and traditional forms invoking our cultural ethos and heritage value – be it theological or architectural – find a significant position his works. Human forms, animal figures or architectural pieces get restructured and stylized, and familiar forms mutate to gratify contemporary viewers.
Many of his paintings are a visual treat yet few of the pieces transcend to share information. ‘Evening Melody’ shows the serenity and bliss of rural Goa. ‘Glorious’ has a soaring solitary church against seemingly unending green field standing testimony to the good old days. ‘Paradise’ has the canvas divided into two sides: one side occupied by a huge door with a padlock whilst in the other portion stands a pristine church. “I was privy to a treasure of lithographic prints in the collection of the church near my house, and hence the padlock signifying protection and preservation,” says Sadguru.
Trained at the Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai, Sadguru came to Goa in the mid seventies on an invitation to teach at the then newly established art school at the Kala Academy – Goa. A beacon for many artists in Goa by virtue of having taught art at Goa’s premier art institute – Goa College of Art, he still has many aspiring artists call on him for advice and guidance.
Heading the department of painting, before retiring, this man with a short demeanour yet a profoundly large heart strikes a relationship with any knowledge thirsty artist. With over four creatively enchanting decades in the field of art, Sadguru is surely leaving an indelible mark. His thirst for new avenues and experimentations with varied media, genre and styles keeps his mind agile and his paintings fresh and visually palatable.
Sadguru intends to create a maze of patterns and sprinkling of hues to strike a chord with the viewers. With the new paintings, displayed here, he aspires to offer aesthetic pleasure and spiritual experience.
Sadguru is undoubtedly one of the noted figures in the contemporary art scene with numerous awards and commendations. Guide to a generation of artists, he is sure to enthral the viewers for years to follow.
Resource: http://www.navhindtimes.in
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