With the knack of bringing forms to life, where each stroke reveals a new dimension of her artistic expression, Nupur Kundu showcased Hues & Scapes, a collection of new creations in a large grid format, like a Matrix of Hues. The preview scheduled for April 25, 2024 at Dhoomimal Art Gallery, promised to immerse art enthusiasts in a world of colour, texture, and imagination.
The artist’s fondness to use oil pigments, allows her the freedom to explore thick textured applications, creating layers of depth and complexity on the canvas. On Display May 24, 2024, Hues & Scapes provided an opportunity to the guests to closely follow the journey of discovery, as they explored the indescribable beauty of Kundu’s artistic endeavours.
Being a colourist for all her life and mastering Impasto technique, the solo exhibition displayed Kundu’s artist flair of creating mysterious forms on canvas surfaces. She visioned to embody the ineffable in her work by allowing colours to flow, move, and dialogue with each other, believing that colours carry no thematic burden and were themselves, primarily known as ‘Colours capes’, sharing their purity and intensity.
Eminent guests including Padma Shri Sunita Kohli, Sushma Bahl art advisor, writer and curator; formerly, Head, Arts & Culture, British Council India, Promila Bahri Art curator, Director Vinod Bhardwaj, Padmashri Dr Shovana Narayan, Dr. Herbert Traxl, Social Activist Leher Sethi, Designer Leena Singh, Mr. K L Ganju, Prince Singhal founders at CADD, Priya Singhal, Artist Manoj Arora, Hamid Ahmed CEO of Hamdard, Amna Ahmed, Author Ritu Soni Bhagat, Mamta Nath MD & founder of The Lexicon Art Gallery, Dancer Sharon Lowen graced the event with their presence.
Mr Uday Jain, Curator & Director, Dhoomimal Art Gallery expressed, “Over the past three decades, Nupur has been a dedicated and unwavering artist, renowned for her breathtaking abstract expressions, where her pieces are cherished all over, revealing her enduring talent and universal appeal.”
Eminent personalities including Sushma K. Bahl, Jyoti A Kathpalia, Rahul Kumar, Uma Nair, Suneet Chopra, to name a few, provided their critical insights on the artist’s work.
In words of Sushma K. Bahl: “Kundu’s art-scape features a vibrant palette of chromatic hues, showcasing her multifaceted persona making her work impactful that transcends time and space, resonating across generations and geographical boundaries.”
Nupur Kundu shared her thoughts on the exhibition, saying, “With Hues & Scapes, I vision to transport viewers to the landscapes that inspire me and evoke a sense of wonder and beauty. Each collection narrates a tale, inviting viewers to explore the world through my eyes.”
The artist magic of Nupur Kundu was unfolded at Dhoomimal Art Gallery that went beyond description.
A Sneak Peak at the Exhibition
In the words of the artist: “The representation of Earth becomes a metaphorical language, conveying my perception of Earth’s beauty, fragility, and resilience.” Earth is a vast canvas for inspiration, offering a rich palette of colors, textures, and shapes. Enjoy EARTH SCAPE SERIES, where the artist uses earthy tones and round canvases to create a globe-like feel. The non-representational elements like color, texture, and form help express a visceral response and connect with the earth intuitively.
In the RED SCAPE SERIES, Kundu uses red as a symbol of passion, life, and femininity. Her creation is a visual symphony that evokes a sense of vitality and warmth. The vibrant hues, ranging from deep crimson to fiery scarlet, dance across the canvas, symbolizing the raw and unrestrained nature of passion. The series celebrates the powerful and visceral emotions that red embodies, capturing the essence of passion and fervour in the artist’s work.
The artist has experimented with mixed media in MOSAIC SCAPE SERIES by combining abstract oil paintings with intricate ceramic mosaic tiles. The seamless merging of soft oil pigment and mosaic craftsmanship and the rich interplay of colors and patterns in their scapes is a harmonious composition. The use of ceramic mosaic is not just an ornamental frame but an essential, continuous, and integral part of their oil paints. The meticulous cutting and arrangement of fragments form a harmonious whole, a meditative exercise.
These were just a few collections, where the guests indulged in the hues and scapes of this mesmerising exhibit.
About Nupur Kundu
Renowned Indian artist with a background in Fine Arts and Indian Classical Dance, Nupur Kundu has been a prominent figure in the art world, having earned her degree from the College of Arts, New Delhi. Featured in various publications, including The New York Times, Art India magazine, Marg Magazine, and India Today Magazine’s 30th Anniversary Issue in 2005, Nupur has also successfully set a career as a stage performer, theatre, and telefilms, integrating dance into her narratives.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, the art genius has made significant contributions to the community, conducting workshops for special children and organizing multimedia workshops for institutions like the British Council of India, IFFCO, Tihar Jail, and the PHD Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi. She has also judged various art competitions, including The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Rashtrapati Bhawan, YMCA, AAI, Jindal Steel, and the All-India Kokuyo Camlin Art Competition.
Serving as a Board Member at DPS School Sirsa, Nupur holds a position on the Women and Child Development Committee of the PHD Chamber of Commerce. She has been bestowed with numerous awards, including the Sarojini Naidu International Award in Visual Arts, the Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award for the Best Contemporary Artist of the Year, and the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for Fine Arts.
About Dhoomimal Gallery
The Dhoomimal Gallery, established in 1936 by Shri Ram Babu Jain, is India’s oldest contemporary art gallery. With over 80 years of successful promotion, it has become an institution rather than a commercial hub. The gallery has showcased prominent artists and supported “Kalakar,” a forum for art-minded individuals. Today, it has the best private collection of artworks and continues to promote art under the “Ravi Jain Memorial Trust.” The gallery remains dedicated to display groundbreaking artists and fostering a vibrant art community.
