BHUBANESWAR: The capital witnessed the annual art exhibition of B K Art College and a themed art expo organised by Dhauli College of Art and Crafts here Friday.
Principal Secretary of finance Ashok Meena was the chief guest of the occasion while singer and professor Ram Hari Das was guest of honour at the annual expo of BK Art College. The exhibition showcased more than 200 paintings and 40 sculptures crafted students of the college.
Addressing the gathering Meena said, “Art is a medium of inner expressions and each student have clearly exhibited their emotion with such panache that one has to stand back and appreciate each of their work.”
He also wished the students a glorious future and urged them to make art on things happening around them and appreciated the college’s contribution in shaping modern artistes, painters and sculptors of the state.
Seven art installations by students drew a huge response from the visitors. Many visitors posed with the installations and clicked selfies to keep their memories alive. Shagufta Begum, a student of the art college said, “Each year such exhibitions lead us to limelight and people as well as parents appreciate our hardwork, patience and dedication as artists.”
Pradip Kumar Patra, a lecturer in print making said, “The college teaches skills through studio courses and knowledge of art history and aesthetics through lectures, seminars and exhibitions, and through lectures, seminars, and exhibitions. This combines informality with personal commitments. It seeks to develop in students the spirit of personal initiative, creativity, inner discipline and awareness of their cultural environment.”
The themed expo at Dhauli College of Art and Crafts was dedicated to Basanti Durga Puja which used to be held at nearby villages with great devotion and dedication. The aim of the exhibition was to create awareness on the importance of a girl child as well as a woman to the society.
While people flock to temples to worship Devi Pratimas (idols of goddesses), women are victims of violence in the society. More than 30 paintings and 10 sculptures were exhibited on the occasion. Around 50 artistes participated in the exhibition.
Sasmita Kamila, lecturer, Utkal University of Culture, was the chief guest of the event. Addressing the gathering, she said, “Defining women’s plight through art can be tough. The present time demands justice for the most powerful entity (the woman) who is being robbed of her dignity by her family members, society and people at work place. She is the axis of all power. However, people chose to ignore her forte.”
Sumitra Prabhu, a visiting art critic from Mathura said, “Our society is becoming a dysfunctional one as we are harassing the very entity of women right from her inception at the womb till she dies. The painting of Mahisa Mardini where a woman is depicted as Maa Durga killing a bad spirit is by Panchanan Samal. It showcases the artist’s respect for gender equality and how the world is truly being run by Shakti.”
Around 200 women from nearby villages were invited as guests to witness the exhibition and each girl child were provided with painting kits from the officials. Eminent painters like Binodini Behera, Subhamoy Biswal and many others attended the exhibition.
