This Bengaluru exhibition showcases leaves from the Tree of Life

Bengaluru exhibition showcases leaves from the Tree of Life

Right through the ages, the Tree of Life has been a recurring concept in cultures across the world, a symbolic motif with religious or philosophical bearings. In India, the Tree of Life or Kalpavriksha is found in Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain texts.

This week, MKF Museum of Art and ArtenBlu present Kalpavriksha – an exhibition based on this theme. Curated by Sadhna Menon, this show comprises works of art by seven artists with diverse renderings of the same notion.

“Reviving art forms deeply rooted in traditional culture has always been a fascinating and empowering endeavour. This year, rediscovering another art form textile art, using traditional techniques with contemporary ideas is a continuation of this creative journey. The Tree of Life is universal in almost all cultures and was chosen as a central theme,” says Sadhna, founder of ArtenBlu, an art consultancy firm based out of Bengaluru.

Sachin Deo, one of the participating artists, who has been working on mythological and spiritual themes for over decades now says for this particular exhibition, he has expressed himself with paper folding and embossing.

“I believe these pieces convey various stages of spiritual growth. I have been readying these three-dimensional forms over the past six months,” says Sachin. Originally from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, the artist who now lives in Pune, says, “My early palette was usually mild and minimalistic even when depicting mythological aspects. My work reflects spirituality and contentment in this space. Though I have always used various media, I have only recently begun experimenting with embossing and paper techniques.”

Artist Varsha Patra has depicted the Tree of Life using Aari (also called Khatla) embroidery techniques. “I have interpreted the concept ‘Tree of Life’ differently in various pieces. The idea, format, theory, design, colours are largely inspired by the traditional crafts of our country. The same goes for their execution. It is purely the age-old technique of khatla hand embroidery that I use to create my ideas from concept to fabric.”

Abstractionist V Hariraam, who is also one of the artists at the show, says he does favour giving “a certain amount of figuration, if not a detailed bearing,” to his art expression. “As an abstract painter who evolved from figuration, I am displaying two works with reference to the Tree of Life, while my fellow artist AM Prakash is presenting line drawings that add decorative and design value,” says Hariraam.