Date:30/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/30/stories/2008083050860200.htm

New Delhi

Mark of master printmakers

Staff Reporter

Presenting an exhibition of etchings by leading artists

On view: Etching on zinc plate by Sanjay Bhattacharyya.

NEW DELHI: Seasoned artist and printmaker Yashpal Chandrakar is right now hosting an exhibition of 60 limited editions of etchings in the Capital by a dozen leading artists of the country.

Titled “Mark of Masters -1”, the exhibition features the works of accomplished artists Jogen Chowdhury, Jatin Das, Manu Parekh, Madhavi Parekh, Neeraj Goswami, Prafulla Dahanukar, Paresh Maity, Sanat Kar, Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Suhas Roy, Suvaprasanna and Yashpal Chandrakar.

“With a tinge of sadness I feel that printmaking stands at the crossroads today. Questions are being raised about its authenticity and disparaging comments are often heard about its artistic quality and appeal. Printmaking is like any other medium where the artist’s imagination and aesthetic abilities are fully utilised. I find no reason why printmaking should be considered inferior to other art forms. If the misconception about this art form can be wiped out, my mission is complete,” says Chandrakar.

A product of Kala Bhawan of Viswa Bharati University at Santiniketan, Chandrakar is a reputed artist who chose printmaking as his medium. His primary concern in bringing out this exhibition is to create a better awareness of this art form which he feels has not deserved the appreciation it deserves.

The visual quality of a composition is what has always remained Chandrakar’s main consideration while composing a work. It is simply the challenge of the medium and the results in tone and texture obtained thereon that continue to be his principal concern. For Chandrakar, all his experiences translate into the visual in terms of art. Though the human head and face are central to his canvas for quite a while now, for his current body of works Chandrakar has also taken some objects as his subjects, particularly the lantern lamp.

The etchings were mounted at Alliance Francaise de Delhi in Lodhi Estate this past Tuesday and Wednesday and are now being showcased at Gallerie Ganesha in Greater Kailash-II. The exhibition will continue up to September 10.