Nupur Kundu, renowned for bringing forms to life through her artistry, unveiled “Hues & Scapes,” a collection of new creations presented in a large grid format, akin to a Matrix of Hues. The preview, set for April 25, 2024, at Dhoomimal Art Gallery, promised to immerse art enthusiasts in a world of color, texture, and imagination. Kundu’s affinity for oil pigments grants her the freedom to explore thick textured applications, crafting layers of depth and complexity on the canvas. On display from May 24, 2024, “Hues & Scapes” offered guests the opportunity to closely follow the journey of discovery as they explored the indescribable beauty of Kundu’s artistic endeavors.
A master of the Impasto technique and a lifelong colorist, Kundu’s solo exhibition showcased her flair for creating mysterious forms on canvas surfaces. Her vision was to embody the ineffable in her work by allowing colors to flow, move, and dialogue with each other, believing that colors carry no thematic burden but are primarily known as ‘Colorscapes,’ sharing their purity and intensity.
The event was graced by eminent guests including Padma Shri Sunita Kohli, Sushma Bahl, art advisor, writer, and curator; formerly, Head, Arts & Culture, British Council India, Promila Bahri, Art curator, Director Vinod Bhardwaj, Padmashri Dr. Shovana Narayan, Dr. Herbert Traxl, Social Activist Leher Sethi, Designer Leena Singh, Mr. K L Ganju, Prince Singhal, founders at CADD, Priya Singhal, Artist Manoj Arora, Hamid Ahmed, CEO of Hamdard, Amna Ahmed, Author Ritu Soni Bhagat and Dancer Sharon Lowen, who graced the event with their presence.
A Sneak Peak at the Exhibition
In the words of the artist: “The representation of Earth becomes a metaphorical language, conveying my perception of Earth’s beauty, fragility, and resilience.” Earth is a vast canvas for inspiration, offering a rich palette of colors, textures, and shapes. Enjoy EARTH SCAPE SERIES, where the artist uses earthy tones and round canvases to create a globe-like feel. The non-representational elements like color, texture, and form help express a visceral response and connect with the earth intuitively.
In the RED SCAPE SERIES, Kundu uses red as a symbol of passion, life, and femininity. Her creation is a visual symphony that evokes a sense of vitality and warmth. The vibrant hues, ranging from deep crimson to fiery scarlet, dance across the canvas, symbolizing the raw and unrestrained nature of passion. The series celebrates the powerful and visceral emotions that red embodies, capturing the essence of passion and fervour in the artist’s work.
The artist has experimented with mixed media in MOSAIC SCAPE SERIES by combining abstract oil paintings with intricate ceramic mosaic tiles. The seamless merging of soft oil pigment and mosaic craftsmanship and the rich interplay of colors and patterns in their scapes is a harmonious composition. The use of ceramic mosaic is not just an ornamental frame but an essential, continuous, and integral part of their oil paints. The meticulous cutting and arrangement of fragments form a harmonious whole, a meditative exercise.
Uday Jain, Curator & Director, Dhoomimal Art Gallery expressed, “Over the past three decades, Nupur has been a dedicated and unwavering artist, renowned for her breathtaking abstract expressions, where her pieces are cherished all over, revealing her enduring talent and universal appeal.”
Eminent personalities including Sushma K. Bahl, Jyoti A Kathpalia, Rahul Kumar, Uma Nair, Suneet Chopra, to name a few, provided their critical insights on the artist’s work.
In words of Sushma K. Bahl: “Kundu’s art-scape features a vibrant palette of chromatic hues, showcasing her multifaceted persona making her work impactful that transcends time and space, resonating across generations and geographical boundaries.”
Nupur Kundu shared her thoughts on the exhibition, saying, “With Hues & Scapes, I vision to transport viewers to the landscapes that inspire me and evoke a sense of wonder and beauty. Each collection narrates a tale, inviting viewers to explore the world through my eyes.”
