Artist and author Anurag Anand set the hearts and minds of art enthusiasts on a hypnotic journey through his recent art exhibition, Soulful Sojourn. The exhibition featured three distinct series namely, Building Blocks, Code Un-code and Nature Mélange, each offering a unique perspective and exploring the human experience vividly through art.
The art show was open for the public till October 19, 2023 at Gallery-A, All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi. The grand inauguration ceremony was graced by ambassador Dr Amarendra Khatua, former secretary, Ministry of External Affairs as the chief guest and Rachna Agarwal, principal architect and co-founder of Studio IAAD and Zoera as the distinguished guest of honour.
Padma Shri sculptor, Biman Das, who lit the ceremonial lamp at the inauguration, praised Anurag Anand’s palette and the use of mature colours and strokes in his exhibits. He also shared anecdotes from his own life that had inspired him in his journey as an artist.
Rachna Agarwal, while addressing the gathering commended Anurag Anand on his remarkable ability to balance art and writing. She highlighted the unique blend of storytelling through words and images that Anurag uses for his creations.
Ambassador Khatua expressed his appreciation for Anurag’s set of nine artworks entitled “The ‘H’ of Habitation.” He remarked “It is amazing how Anurag has used man-made structures to create human forms. These art pieces are not only eye-catching but also hold deep meaning. One could continue to gaze at them for hours.”
The event saw the presence of several gallerists, including Ruki Chatterjee of Gallery Ruki, Meena Singh of Gallery Blue Dot, Vibha Singh of Vibha Creations and Jyoti Kalra of Uchaan Arts. With their appreciation for Anurag’s artistic creation, they added energy to the already vibrant atmosphere of the exhibition.
Numerous artists and art enthusiasts were also in attendance. Anurag Anand’s artistic expressions aroused a rich tapestry of emotions in them. His thought-provoking artwork left a lasting impact on attendees and deepened their understanding of life’s complexities and its simplicity too.
Anand is an author as well and has penned thirteen books. He is a columnist and a corporate professional. He considers himself a student of life and expresses his observations, understanding and responses to the triggers that surround us. Anand’s visual creation, much like his writing, is anchored in relatability and bears the mark of versatility in treatment. He believes that the thought behind each artwork makes it unique and the diktats of palette or style only restrain creativity. His choice of subject’s ranges from teachings of ancient Indian texts, to the crudity or beauty of nature, the interplay of human emotions and the state of the present. His preferred medium is acrylic on canvas or paper. As a self-taught artist, Anurag likes to experiment with mediums in shaping his art works. Acrylics and oil are his mediums of choice. His creations are often stark, evocative and provocative. They compel onlookers to pause, engage and decipher.
Anurag has won several prizes for his pursuits. He has been awarded by Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Corporate Excellence in 2016 and for Role Players in 2019 by the World Training and Development Congress. He is also a contributing writer for several leading publications.
