Padamsee's Palette

Akbar Padamsee's photo show at the Galerie Romain Rolland is pleasing. A short statement by the artist says that he is a painter looking at photography and it is true that what characterizes his successful foray into black and white nudes is his use of light and the sense of detail he is able to get on skin. However it is in the small section to the right side of the gallery with his monotone watercolors in shades of pale brown, working with a narrow and singular palette, with light but rough strokes, that he truly shines. The photographs are possibly too aesthetic. The portraits in watercolor stand unapologetically raw. They are direct and distinctive. Most of all they are done without any heavy handedness whatsoever, the painter does not need to make his point...his point is there..simply and elegantly put . The confidence in these pieces is calming. This show is on view at the Alliance Française in Lodhi Estate.

Make time in Delhi this week…

The art scene at the India Habitat Center is hot. Rajiv Puri’s show of landscapes, many bordering on the abstract are a treat to behold. The brisk strokes of his palette knife when combined with some of his forest and field impressions lend several of the canvases at this show a rather Klimtesque effect.

Also on at the IHC is a show by multiple artists. Two pieces here stand out in particular. Bikash Poddar has a water color landscape reminiscent of Watteau; three tiny figures in this work are dwarfed by their surroundings and somehow also hovering half way out of the canvas thanks to the sheer lightness of his medium. That this kind of painting is still done at all, is lovely. That it is being done with a distinctively Indian flavor is magnificent.

Ajay De’s untitled charcoal and oil that greets the visitor on entering the group show is…well…stunning. De’s control over his draftsmanship reminded me of Odilon Redon’s pastels and drawings (now on display at the MoMA in NY). De’s use of light is masterful and the mood of the work evocative. Just to see how this man uses color you should make a trip to the IHC. I hope to discover some more of his work in the near future. If you know how I can reach him let me know.