Vivek Nimbolkar’s art effortlessly mingles geometry and nature creating a sharp focus, says Moksha Kumar.
As one ventures into the canvases of Vivek Nimbolkar – each of his creations bloom with the scent of fresh possibility. Akin to the natural geometry found in nature, Vivek creates not just with the intent of imitation, but also intuitive experimentalism. Reflecting influences of Raza, G.R. Santhosh and even J. Swaminathan, the compositions carry a soft but sure boldness.
Born in 1977, Vivek Nimbolkar grew up in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Despite his urbane surroundings, Nimbolkar took to art through the influence of his mother’s embroidery. He also reflected upon natural forms as opposed to the towering buildings of the city. With A Masters in Art (Painting), Diploma in Art Education and Masters of Art (Indology), it is no surprise that the artist’s creative depth is so easy to dive into.
Drawing from his early inspirations and realistic sketches of his surroundings – Vivek’s current series offers both the simplicity and complexity of nature. The forms are lucid, creating a sharp focus and tight composition – but remain enigmatic in their interpretation. The fluid abstraction evokes the artist’s early sparks of ingeniousness as we relate them to the expressionist genre. The strokes are rife with emotion and nostalgia, immersing us into the waves of serenity that emanate from the canvas.
Speaking to his initial stimulation, he mentioned that his first artistic inspiration came through Picasso’s work showcased at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai in 2002. Vivek marvelled at the way in which Picasso transformed his compositions and forms marking him as an artist who would change the course of his own work. The first instance of abstraction came through this show in 2002, and thus altered how Vivek Nimbolkar would approach his practice, forever.
Knowing that his work during his college days often reflected a certain spontaneous realism, the result of many years of practice becomes more evident with each piece in this particular series. His practice reflects the tranquil nature of the atmospheric Gaitonde, and yet holds the steadfast confidence of a Raza-esque approach.
Through the simple example of an apple, Vivek points out the way in which his perspective breaks up a natural form in a unique way; the outside is simplified into a circle – whereas the part which is cut into is different in shape and colour altogether! The difference is like observing the Sun and Moon, and their natural forces that affect our surroundings.
The sun becomes the famous Bindu, paying due homage to the genius of S.H. Raza and burns through the day, dictating our hours of function and ritual. Whereas the moon changes shape through the week and month. Such intrinsic observation gives us a fantastic platform from which to understand the essence of Nimbolkar’s work.
The above works of art are paired to show the intense connection between the initial efforts and the eventual success. The lambent yellows, oranges and reds make a feature throughout his portfolio, echoing with a gentle power through shape.
Cutting the composition through the centre, the river in the left-hand side reflects in the way in which the triangles flow in a similar zig zag pattern on the right. If one observes carefully, the flow is similar in shape, merely altering the point of locus slightly higher than the composition on the left. We are left to wonder about the circles along the imaginary horizon, dancing in between being interpreted as the sun or moon.
A wonderful ambiguity is what adds to the aura of the work. The dynamic composition of the righthand side, reflects in the movement of the natural forces in the left. Both seem to be in conversation with each other, as though the past guides the hand of the future with a poetic flourish. “The form would seem quite plain without the use of lines…it is like creating a story within the painting. When you are on a journey, many paths are offered – but following on a path, is like following a line. Each one is distinct from the other, which is why I use them in my work in the same way,” says Vivek Nimbolkar.
Quite like the artist’s own walks through nature –one can actively stroll through his glowing creations with ease. Going back to the poetic aspect, Amy Lowell (Pulitzer Prize poet) summarises the beauty of Vivek’s work rather accurately:
“I own a solace shut within my heart, A garden full of many a quaint delight And warm with drowsy, poppied sunshine; bright, Flaming with lilies out of whose cups dart Shining things With powdered wings.”
Evoking the bright but soft feelings within this set of verses, it is only natural to understand Vivek’s work as a wonderful homage to his beginnings and perhaps even a little bit of his hope for the future.
A wonderful ambiguity is what adds to the aura of the work.
48X60 Inches Acrylic on Canvas 2024 18X24 Inches Acrylic On Canvas 2000
Presented by Easel Art Gallery
