Peace in piece

Sangeeta Abhay's Buddha created in old cutting of newspapers, computer keys and rich colours resonate with our times

August 11, 2016 05:08 pm | Updated 05:08 pm IST - Bengaluru

A painting depicting Buddha under Bodhi tree

A painting depicting Buddha under Bodhi tree

Sangeeta Abhay searches for Buddha in her canvases with a palette so bright and an imagery so vivid. So, Buddha appears in her 24 paintings and sculptures as we know him and don't. In some, he is larger-than-life and elsewhere he is just a silhouette. “How do we know what we looked like? He is not a face or a body. His is an all-encompassing spirit which is awakened. We would find a Buddha in all of us if we look for him,” says Sangeeta who began her artistic career in 2008 with the same subject.

Titled “Sahasrahara”, “Bhumi Sparsh”, “Suvarna”, “Tathagata”, “Reincarnation”, her paintings and sculptures dwell on his life and his thoughts. “He is all the more relevant today in this conflict-ridden world,” states the artist. Born and brought up in Buldana, near Ajanta caves, her influences come from these roots.

The image of Buddha has remained a constant with Sangeeta with other themes coming and going. From being a definite shape and a face, the Buddha has come to be a metaphor. She takes the concepts of Sahasrahara , the seventh yogic chakra, Bhumi Sparsha , Tathagata and expresses them uniquely through a different visual vocabulary and mediums.

'Tathagata' is a fibreglass sculpture depicting a Buddha in a bhumi sparsh mudra (As he got enlightened, he touched the earth claiming it to be the witness to the moment). He is the harbinger of good news with cuttings of only and only positive news published in newspapers.

In 'Reincarnation', the artist has created, once again a seated Buddha, out of computer keys sourced from scrapdealers. Keys haven't been placed randomly but at strategic spots.

Yet another sculpture, 'Peace Messenger', has been made in fibreglass but has a finish which makes it look like ceramic. With this show, the artist who trained in painting from Government school of Art, Aurangabad, has turned towards sculptures. And from giving a lacquer treatment to harmonising the keys sizes and shapes, Sangeeta did it by herself.

“Buddha has given me a lot. Whatever I am today, is because of him.” Having recently shown in Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai, Sangeeta recieved the appreciation from the likes of Gulzar and Shyam Benegal. While the eminent writer has done a note for the exhibition that Sangeeta has proudly displayed in the gallery, Benegal has bought a work from her.

If the process of creating was meditative for this former advertising professional, viewing them is equally healing for a visitor. Focus on the circle which houses a tiny Buddha in gold leaf in 'Detachment', you will feel sucked into it. The deep red achieved by painting layers and layers of the colour further adds to the magic.

In 'Joy of giving', Sangeeta shifts to subtelty with a Buddha in translucent white and background in grey. The lotus at the bottom are in faint red. It appears to be a dream or a veil which we need to realise or lift.

(The exhibition “In Search of The Buddha” is on at Gallery G, Maini Sadan, Lavelle Road, till August 21)

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