When Jipmer decided to provide a platform for its doctors, students and nurses to show their artistic side, no one realistically expected the response to be this overwhelming —a roomful of paintings reflecting thematic variety, eclectic styles and a riot of colour.
The examination hall on the fourth floor of the Academic Centre which has transformed into a temporary art gallery is featuring more than 200 paintings as the Jipmer art exhibition and competition got underway on Monday.
The show is open for public display from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The themes chosen by the artists are diverse, spanning across landscapes, portraiture and the mythological.
The Jipmer fraternity has also dabbled in diverse media such as oil, water colours, charcoal, acryclic or mixed media.
“The pressures of the profession should not be a limiting factor for expressing one’s inherent talents. In fact, engaging in painting can also serve the role of a stress buster in this line of work,” said Dr. S.C. Parija, Jipmer Director as he explained the rationale behind the show.
Looking at the scale of response to the first ever group exhibition for its fraternity, Jipmer intends to go in for more such events. The institution has sought the support of artists and professional galleries in the city to support the cause.
“We may be experts in healthcare but we certainly need mentoring from artists for this project,” Dr. Parija said. Jipmer is also earmarking another site at the academic centre to serve as a permanent art gallery under the auspices of the Jipmer Art Committee.
A few weeks ago, the institution began displaying paintings of its patients, staff and students on the interiors of its buildings. Some of the exhibits had included paintings by paediatric cancer patients who hade been provided an orientation programme in painting and drawing.
Lauding the initiative, Malathi Rajavelu, Director, Art Association of Pondicherry, said the remarkable paintings produced by the medical fraternity goes to show what can be achieved when a non-art institution espouses the cause of art. She volunteered assistance from her institution in organising camps and workshops.
Amarane, Director of the Amarane Art Gallery in the city, pointed out that the talent on display was hardly surprising as his students included several doctors.
“The only advice I can offer is to keep enjoying what you do…that is the bottom line of creating art.”
Socoumarane, Assistant Director, Art Association of Pondicherry, called for organising more such group shows which would certainly help art grow.
Prizes were given to the winners of painting competition in junior and senior categories.
