Art Students' Show in Suburban Mumbai

Titled Vidyarthi Vishesh Phase I, this group show of landscapes is currently being showcased at Gallery Pradarshak in Khar. Artists showcasing at the show include Paresh Thukrul, Jitendra Patil, Prasad Niwate, Vaibhav Naik, Suraj Lohar, Kunal Salvi and Prasad Tandel among others. The show ¡ª a student special ¡ª is now in its 19th year and features works by students from leading art colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik.

The show, which can also be viewed online, highlights diverse styles, techniques and mediums. It is also rather easy on the pocket, with prices ranging from Rs 1,000 and going up to Rs 18,000. The artists say that the inspiration for the works have come to them from various places ¡ª their own personal experiences, general observations that they have made of places/ things around them and the diabolic imprint of the social scenario.

Says Savitha Hira, proprietor, Pradarshak, "The bouquets and the brickbats carve the psyche of the individual artist as he/she banks on the creative expression of his brush to delve deeper into his impressionist as well as expressionist self and at times, into surrealist forays. A special voting system is also open online, which invites art lovers to vote for as many paintings as they like. The most favoured artist will be awarded for 'Public Choice. Based on an interactive principle, the student exhibition extends over a period of eight weeks and has been phased out to convenience the art enthusiast.

It features creative and thought-provoking realistic and semi-realistic paintings apart from a host of graphic prints, drawings, still life, seascapes, cityscapes, landscapes, compositions as well as semi-abstract paintings. Since last year, we've also introduced sculptures and metalwork. The body of work is expansive and selected from the Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced, Diploma, Degree and Post Graduate classes. This gives the students a chance to observe in a mixed sphere, relate to techniques and applications, and learn from each other; it also initiates them into the art of presentation and pricing."

Vidyarthi Vishesh Phase I can be viewed at Gallery Pradarshak, 100, Kalpana Building, Plot No. 338, 12th Road, Diagonally behind Citibank on Linking Road at the Citibank and Louis Phillipe Signal, Khar (W) till July 19, 11 am to 7 pm (except on Sundays and public holidays).