Exhibitions
DOTS, LINES, AND COLOURS of Gond art A solo exhibition by Rajendra Kumar Shyam
conceptualized by Gaurav Kumar
Gond art is a well-known folk art of the Indian folk and tribal community, as well as one of our cultural heritage’s pearls. We are displaying the art of Rajendra Kumar Shyam in this exhibition, whose quiet and modest demeanour is inextricably linked to his bold and almost-well-balanced Gond painting style. Rajendra Kumar’s Gond art represents a tangible vocabulary fueled by an archive impulse, as his canvases are filled with flawlessly symmetric, complex compositions that tell elaborate stories about Gond culture and depict images from rural life. His paintings are painted in earth tones or primary hues like red, green, yellow, and black, which have long been associated with the Gond community and have traditional meanings. These paintings are meant to be used not just for décor, but also for spiritual and religious beliefs.
These paintings are doodled on canvas in order to appease their gods or to stave off evil and disease. To create an astounding appeal, brilliant colours and gorgeous patterns of dots and lines are used in painting. Rajendra’s Gond painting technique is captured in a patchwork of dashes and dots. The collage is made up of vibrant images of animals and plants, articulating folk art in black and white and a distinct colour. Colour, humour, detail, and ambiguity are abundant in this work of art. Rajendra’s paintings and images have undergone theme experimentation and creativity, with combinations of plants, animals, birds, nature, folklore, and filling motifs such as the dash, dots, curves, and so on….
The art begins with the creation of an outline and the filling in of black hues; once the art has dried, patterns are developed. The Tree of Life is a central topic in Gond art. Many themes demonstrate the relationship between the tree of life, animals, and other elements. Rajendra’s vivid and thrilling works of art now bring these experiences and enchanting stories to life. The art is passed down through the generations. Many stories concerning Gond legends and myths are included, including the classic love story of Jhitku Mitki, Gondwani (stories of Gond Kings), Ramyani (Ram Katha), and Pandwani (Pandava Katha), among others.
Rajendra Kumar Shyam worked for his uncle, renowned Gond artist Jangarh Singh Shyam, in Bhopal, where he adopted a contemporary style by using manufactured acrylic colour and canvas/paper for the base, transforming this folk tradition art into contemporary folk art in India.
This art is not merely decorative but is an integral component of Gond tribal life. It is a contemplation of their cultural environment, and as such, it is strongly related to its other parts, such as dance, theatre, and music, as well as their daily life. The Gond people have a nearly 1400-year history, and they are one of India’s largest tribes, with strongholds in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
Past Exhibitions
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