Invoking a wide range of emotions through the playfulness of colors and textures

There is a certain pleasure of being in the midst of excellent art works while visiting a gallery. The works of Govinda Prasad Sah “Azad” undoubtedly provides a heightened sense of contentment with his recent exhibition titled “Emotions in Motion.” Displayed over three floors at the Siddhartha Art Gallery, the twenty-six art works (25 paintings and 1 installation work) are excellent pieces inspired by clouds, concept and dreams. His works play with sky-scapes and the free use of color, inviting the viewer to interpret his works themselves.

The inspirations for Azad’s works come from clouds symbolizing the intergalactic fields and the infinity of interior space. Viewing his works, it certainly does take the viewer deep into thoughts and arousing a certain amalgam of feelings. His use of color and texture invoke a consciousness fixed on philosophy and the unknown. The theme comes through with the motion of the colors and the use of both dark and bright colors in the same work.

The playfulness with the textures and the use of both complementary and contrasting colors combine to conjure a mystical feeling. Maybe it had something to do with the round center present in most of his works that seemed to attract the eyes, bringing the focus to somewhat empty and unknown thoughts. Another reoccurring theme is the outline of the Mandala, traced through a tiny white line over the canvas. One such example is ‘Mandala and the Solar Eclipse,’ in which the artist has used both the circular center and the Mandala outline.

The style of his paintings can be referred to Abstract Expressionism, an art style that started around the year 1946. The textures in his works remind the viewer of a dry earth, ripples in the outer spaces and drops of water. Although he works on regular surfaces: canvas or linen with oil and acrylic paints, the textures seem to come alive proving his skill with colors and the canvas. A combination of these textures can be viewed in the piece titled ‘Melting Truth.’ This piece presents a granular effect combined with a mixture of subtle colors providing the impression of a rather depressing mood.

His installation work titled ‘Apocalypse’ is situated in the middle of the room, and impossible to miss as it takes up the entire height of the room. Unique and different from the rest of his painting, this installation work provides a sense of diversity. It does however stick the theme, as the thought of an upcoming apocalypse stir certain emotions within. Built in three distinct stages, the ceiling makes up the sky occupied by clouds made up of cotton, and then there is the structure of an erupting volcano, shooting out stones that hang in mid air. The floor is littered with twigs and stone.

Overall, his works are one that can be praised. He claims that clouds inspire in him a feeling of consciousness of space, time, matter and a whole range of emotions. His works are free for interpretations although it does demand it through different perspectives such as those of a realist and mystical combined. The paintings create a sense of freedom and allow the viewers to wander deep into their own thoughts while debating the mystical significance of Azad’s works.

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