Iftikar Ahmed
Artists of the week
Artist of the Week is a special category that recognises and highlights the works of talented artists. Each week, two new artists are featured, showcasing their unique styles, techniques, and themes. From emerging artists to established veterans, the Artist of the Week category celebrates creativity and diversity in the art world and provides a platform for artists to share their vision and voice with a wider audience.
Abhilasha Singh
Lucknow, a city that has stood the test of time, has inspired many artists to create art that speaks volumes about its rich culture, heritage and contemporary issues. However, for one artist, Lucknow has become more than just a place to live, it has become a subject, a muse, and a canvas for artistic expression.
For the past eight years, Abhilasha Singh has called Lucknow her home, and her art has evolved as a result of the city’s nature and society. Their artwork is not just a reflection of her observations, but a research project that delves deep into the intricate interactions between nature and urbanisation. The River Gomti, a river that flows through Lucknow, has captivated this artist’s imagination, and her artwork showcases the impact of urbanisation on the river and its inhabitants.
Courtesy: Abirspace
While most people focus on building more high-rises, Abhilasha focuses on the impact of urbanisation on the river systems, which affects animals, birds, and humans alike. The artist’s themes revolve around the continuous changes in nature in contemporary times, the increasing harm to the environment, the effect on living beings, and specifically, the fluctuating levels of water that are causing widespread destruction. Her artworks reflects the outbreak of anger that we see all around us in the world, as people become increasingly aware of the negative impact of human actions on the environment.
Courtesy: Abirspace
Each new artwork created by her gives expression to new climates, new experiments, and dimensions, which are constantly seeking them out. The paintings regularly feature motifs like fish, turtles, frogs, butterflies, trees, and birds, all of which are impacted by the decreasing levels of water. The slow decrease of water is depicted as an emptying emotion, which is a powerful metaphor for her view on the impact of urbanisation on the environment.
Abhilasha Singh
Courtesy: Abirspace
Abhilasha does not shy away from difficult issues that need to be addressed. Instead, she embraces them and tries to bring out their beauty in the hues and density of oil and acrylic colours or honour their softness in watercolours. It is a reminder that even in the midst of destruction and despair, there is still beauty that can be found. It is a call to action for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and make a positive impact on the environment.
The artist’s work is not just about capturing the beauty of nature, but about the need for preservation and protection. It is a reflection of her commitment to the environment and the belief that we can all make a difference. Her art is a testimony to the power of art to bring about change and inspire people to take action.
The love for Lucknow and its environment is evident in her artwork, which captures the beauty of nature and the impact of human actions on the environment. Her paintings are a reminder that even in the midst of destruction and despair, there is still hope and beauty that can be found. It is a call to action for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and make a positive impact on the environment.
Rajani Bhosle
Rajani gazes upon the world around her as she is struck by the sheer magnificence of Mother Nature. From the rolling hills that stretch as far as the eye can see, to the pristine waters that shimmer in the sunlight, there is a beauty that can only be found in the natural world. And yet, despite this, so many of us seem to take it all for granted. We go about our busy lives, consumed by the constant rush of materialism, and we forget to appreciate the wonders that surround us.
Courtesy: Abirspace
That is why she paints as she cannot resist the urge to capture the everyday observations of my environment, to put onto canvas the beauty that she sees in the world around her. And when she does, it brings a sense of joy and contentment to her heart that is difficult to describe.
When she paints the nature it is as though she is giving something back to the world. Taking a moment to appreciate the simple things in life, to slow down and truly see the world around her. And in doing so she reminds others to do the same.
There is something inherently therapeutic about painting nature. Perhaps it is the way that the colours blend and flow together, creating a harmonious symphony that is both calming and invigorating. Or maybe it is the sense of connection that she feels to the natural world, as though she is a part of something greater than myself.
Of course, it is not just the act of painting itself that brings me joy. It is also the knowledge that her paintings may inspire others to see the world in a different way. When people view her work, they may be reminded of the importance of respecting and preserving our natural world. They may be moved to take a moment to appreciate the beauty that surrounds them, or to make a conscious effort to live a more sustainable and environmentally friendly life.
In the end, that is what it all comes down to – the recognition that we are all a part of this world and that it is up to us to protect and preserve it for future generations. Through her artworks, Rajani hopes to inspire others to see the world in a new light, to appreciate the beauty that is all around us, and to take action to protect the natural world that sustains us all.
