Sapphire City by Smita Jain
Smita Jain’s exhibition Past and Beyond is about the core values, essence and spirit behind famous and little-known buildings and places she has visited over the years. These include Arrah, his ancestral home in Bihar, ethereal abodes in Ladakh and Kashmir, rustic palaces in Rajasthan, temples in the holy city of Banaras, and some sites in Europe.
Smita was inspired to become an artist by her grandfather, who spent his time painting watercolours. His travels piqued his interest. ,
She says that every trip helped her develop her technique, in that the landscapes or cities she painted convey both the architecture and the atmosphere of the place. While there are no human or animal figures in the compositions, the vibrant colors reflect the life and vibrancy of the surroundings. “The rich exterior details of buildings fascinate me and I see them as a window into the lives of the people who lived or lived there,” she says.
Kaskade – Box Art by Smita Jain
She uses printing blocks, stencils and spatula impasto to create textures and motifs. “As a traveller, I see art all around me; It enters my mind and comes back as imagery that I transfer to the canvas as I paint. My art is a combination of my lived experiences and my memories coming alive. They are very personal; But I often find different audiences connecting with them as well. It tells me how honest my work is,” she says.
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(Visual Art Gallery, India Habitat Centre; May 4 to May 8, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)