Ganapati Hegde, Oinem Dilip, Rakhee Shenoy and Ritu Kamath weave a fusion of Mother Earth and Humanity.
In Bloom: The Journey, is an exhibition that honours the beauty and resilience of nature as seen through the eyes of four esteemed artists: Ganapati Hegde, Oinam Dilip, Rakhee Shenoy and Ritu Kamath. The exhibition is on at Jehangir Art Gallery from January 7 to January 13, 2025 and continue till 1st February 25, 2025 at Studio3 Art Gallery in Mumbai.
Each artist, inspired by the natural world, has embarked on a distinct path, delving into themes of growth, transformation and connection with nature. This collection unites diverse styles and mediums, offering viewers a chance to experience the vibrant textures, colours and forms of the natural world. Through this collective journey, the exhibition highlights not only the personal evolution of the artists but also the enduring beauty and healing power of nature.
Contemporary artist Ganapati Hegde’s artwork captures the lush, vibrant landscapes of his hometown in coastal Karnataka. Brimming with native plants, flowers, birds, animals and insects, his paintings blend fantastical elements with the natural world.
Hegde’s surreal jungles are inhabited by a diverse array of creatures, from caterpillars and chameleons to monkeys, butterflies and squirrels, set against a backdrop of vibrant blues, flaming reds, emerald greens and soothing lavenders.
Each piece carries a fable-like quality, drawing the viewer to explore its multifaceted perspectives. With a clear affinity for nature, Hegde creates exuberant collages, interweaving elements of flora and fauna through playful combinations that form larger, unified compositions. Some of his works evoke symbolic representations of Indian gods and goddesses, while in others, animals take centre stage, their postures and attitudes serving as metaphors for human behaviour.
Oinam Dilip grew up in Bishenpur, a small town near Manipur and completed his BFA at Indira Sangeet Viswa Vidyalaya before graduating from the Delhi College of Art. In his early artistic journey, Oinam experimented with both abstract and realist styles, drawing inspiration from the bustling cities of South Asia. However, as time passed, he felt a strong urge to connect with the culture and vibrancy of North East India, his homeland. He aimed to capture the essence of the region as he experienced it, bringing it to life on canvas. His work is deeply rooted in archetypal imagery, nature, local landscapes and cultural symbols.
The people of North East India, with their beauty and simplicity, inspired much of his creativity, reflecting a profound understanding of the social dynamics and conditions of Manipur. His subjects often command the canvas, creating a striking, layered composition of colours, lines and most significantly, human emotion. His paintings strike a harmonious balance between realism and abstraction, with the subjects rendered realistically against a vibrant, dynamic backdrop.
Rakhee Shenoy is a textile artist who weaves together a diverse array of skills, artistic expression and a strong commitment to ethical textile practices. Her artistry is built on the fusion of unique mixed media techniques, including handloom weaving, hand embroidery, painting and digital drawing. Influenced by the MA program at the Royal College of Art, London, Rakhee skilfully combines various approaches and materials to create works that are visually striking and conceptually rich. Her creations act as a canvas for storytelling, weaving narratives of human connection into her pieces. Central to her artistic vision is the development of a distinct visual language. She begins her process by hand-drawing and painting elements, which are then scanned and digitally altered with new elements and interventions. This digital collage is printed on archival canvas further enhanced with hand painting and hand embroidery. Rakhee collaborates closely with a team of embroidery artisans in her studio to bring her artistic vision to life.
Her visual ideas are inspired by everyday life, as well as the concept of holding onto keepsakes, heirlooms and traditions. Objects carry memories of shared stories and serve as links to our past, symbolizing where we come from. These artefacts encapsulate moments, experiences and cultural legacies that shape our identities. They reflect personal milestones, societal histories and the collective memory of our communities. Through thoughtful manipulation of these elements and a deep exploration of symbolism, Rakhee aims to evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort in her work.
Rakhee Shenoy’s work has been featured on prominent international platforms. Her exhibitions include the renowned Z33 Museum in Belgium, Unit 1 Gallery in London (in collaboration with Sanne Vaassen), London Craft Week 2022, Hackney Gallery, and the Royal College of Art 2020 show at The Bargehouse in London. Additionally, she has participated in significant group exhibitions in India. She currently lives and works in Bangalore.
Ritu Kamath, born in 1970, is an artist with a multidisciplinary approach to her work. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and sculpture from the prestigious Jamia Millia Islamia University in 1992 and earned her Master’s in Fine Arts from Gwalior in 2018. However, her artistic journey began earlier, in 1986, when she honed her skills under the mentorship of Shobha Broota and Rameshwar Broota at Triveni Kala Sangam Studios in Delhi.
Kamath’s series, The Forgiving Mother, is centred around Mother Earth, who, with great deliberation, willingly and joyfully forgives her children—human beings—regardless of whether they deserve it. This forgiveness comes despite their constant exploitation of her resources and the harm caused by their insatiable greed. Through her work, she pays tribute to Mother Nature and her children—the birds, wild animals and trees. The paintings convey how, when humanity sheds its destructive ways, the Earth begins to heal. The forests grow greener, flowers bloom in vibrant colours, butterflies flutter and birds sing songs of freedom.
