Paintings

In October, the Centre d’Art hosted an exhibition by artist in residence Nandita Sharma. Titled “The thinking hand”, she explained that her work moves between words and images.

Between 5-24 September, Centre d’Art hosted an exhibition by the local artist, P Saravanam, titled “Together”. In a world which seems to be getting speedier and more complicated day by day, Saravanam’s art returns us to the simple joys of everyday life and encounters in the villages of India.

Set within Pitanga’s tranquil backdrop, this exhibition invites visitors to explore the interplay between natural material and artistic expression.

Aurodeva is an artist and art therapist born and raised in Auroville whose work displays a rich blend of creativity, introspection, and connection to his roots.

Born in Paris, Nathalie grew up surrounded by the evocative scents of her grandfather’s painting studio. At the age of seven, her life took a profound turn when her family moved to India, eventually settling in Auroville.

Sagarika was born and raised in Auroville. In 2019 she went abroad to continue her education and broaden her experience. Recently she returned to Auroville.

From November 15th to December 4th, the Centre d’Art brought together two contemplative exhibitions: Pujasree Burman’s "Sacred Echoes" and Vasandan Virappan’s "The Symbol of Meditation."

Hufreesh has had many exhibitions of her work in Auroville, but perhaps this is the most evocative so far. The paintings, in their swirling lines and simple colours, seem to strip away surface inessentials to reveal something deeper, something more inwardly ‘vibratory’ than the simply pictorial.

In February, the Pavilion of Tibetan Culture hosted a double exhibition: Bhavyo’s paintings of the icy peaks of the Himalayan Tosh valley were displayed in its main room, while a number of urban design studies of his twin sister Bhavya were hung around the courtyard.

The Roger Anger Exhibition represents an homage dedicated to the artist's centenary, showing an extensive collection of drawings, collages, and sculptures.

Lisa Suchanek’s second exhibition at the Centre d’Art, titled Soft Self: Inner Multiplicity and Gentleness, unfolds as a captivating blend of art and introspective research.

Jyoti Khare recently opened an exhibition at the Unity Pavilion, consisting of twelve paintings inspired by twelve poems by Sri Aurobindo.

Our dreams at night can offer perspectives that our cognitive mind can’t reach. They are potential doorways to understanding different dimensions of what is going on in our lives individually and collectively.

The seventh Art for Land exhibition was inaugurated in the Unity Pavilion on 7th August by the Secretary, Dr Jayanti Ravi. This edition moved from its usual February slot to August due to the corona wave and to coincide with the 150th Sri Aurobindo birth year celebrations.

“In the midst of the mountains, unable to hold onto their stillness, I was swept away. Only Silence remained. Tracing silhouettes of mountains became the mantra of my hands.”

There is an old British World War II saying of some people ‘having a good war’. Without denying the widespread human suffering involved in Covid19, I have been wondering if some Aurovilians are ‘having a good Lockdown’, which could emerge from people stopping, taking an in-breath and potentially reconsidering their life direction.

It is 2030, and over the past months, ten strange objects that seem to have emerged straight from the past have been found in Auroville. Miraculously reclaimed from the depths of old, forgotten cupboards and reappearing in the most unlikely of places, they are submitted to deep scientific scrutiny with surprising results.

The 2020 fifth Art for Land exhibition and fundraisers has started with an extraordinary varied programme and offerings. Thirty-one (and counting) events are part of this bounty with a plethora of art pieces for sale.

This month, the 5th Art for Land exhibition opened at Unity Pavilion, in collaboration with Auroville Art Service and Acres for Auroville. Until 21 February, a collection of sculptures, paintings, ceramics, photographs, and more offered by Auroville’s artists and well-wishers will be displayed for the community.

Many years ago, in issue # 188 of September 2004, Auroville Today reported about the work of Hufreesh Dumasia Chopra, a young Auroville artist.

On June 21, 2018, Shri M.V. Chunkath, Secretary of the Auroville Foundation, opened the newly enlarged Picture Gallery at Savitri Bhavan, which will permanently display the entire series of paintings ‘Meditations on Savitri’ by Huta.

“People who come here are very touched, they feel a quality of silence.” The artist, Chantal, is talking about “On the Way to Supermanhood”, an exhibition held at Citadines in February based upon Satprem’s book of the same name.

In September 2017, the Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Luo Zhaohui visited Auroville and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Addressing a gathering at the 68th anniversary celebrations of the People’s Republic of China at New Delhi soon after his visits, Ambassador Zhaohui remembered Hu Hsu.

From August 12 to 22, 2017, Bharat Nivas hosted Alpona, a festival of Bengal. The festival included an exhibition of paintings by ten women artists from Kolkata, an exhibition of textiles from Bengal, two musical evenings and screenings of Bengali films, including four by the internationally renowned director Buddhadeb Dasgupta who visited during the festival.

Auroville displays an increasing amount of art in public spaces. Two of the recent murals are telephone-themed and are located on telephone boxes on the Auroville main road near Kindergarten and the Eukies field.

The month of February is culture month par excellence. Auroville Today selected three performances and one exhibition for a brief review - acknowledging that many other events deserved to be reviewed as well.

“The subtle abstract art makes me stop in my tracks, and I stand still, quietly observing and letting the glow wash over me. There are blue and yellow hues, intermingled with crimson red and violet.

“My last works were on the theme of circles,” says Nele, showing paintings dominated by strong expressive brushstrokes. She explains how she starts with a concept, a theme, and over a long period, sometimes extending to a year, does innumerable drawings and paintings on that theme, over and over again.

Dasha came to Auroville when she was just one year old, and has been living here ever since. She is a self-taught artist who paints as a hobby and because she loves it.

Tripura Pavillon, le centre culturel indien, accueille depuis plusieurs semaines une très interessante exposition de poteries et de “terre cuite” réalisées par Angad, Patrick et Michel, ainsi que des peintures et des miniatures de Anna-Maria.