Rama Krishna Sangem
Priyanka Aelay’s 6th solo paintings show – Proverbial Pathways – enthralled the art lovers of Hyderabad on September 18, Sunday. The week long exhibition at Chitramayee State Gallery of Art, Hyderabad from September 18 to 25, was opened by eminent artist Padma Shree awardee Dr K Laxma Goud, amid the presence of several other guests. Laxman Aelay received the guests.
The show will again be on display from October 24 to 30 at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. This show is curated by Manvinder Dawer. Priyanka is daughter of leading artist Laxman Aelay. Interestingly, Laxman Aelay’s latest works – around 30 plus titled – Poolamma – too are on show in a different hall of the Chitramayee State Gallery of Art. They will be displayed at Jehangir Arr Gallery from October 25- 31.
Priyanka who did her bachelors from Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad, masters from University of Hyderabad and PhD from EFLU, Hyderabad, is on the horizon of art for about a decade. Though in early years influenced by her father, she quickly got a style and substance of her own and found a place among the young artists from India.
Talking to Excel India, Dr Laxma Goud said: “There is newness and fresh approach in Priyanka’s works. Her works are rooted basically in tradition and in appearance they are quite contemporary. This you can see, occasionally an animal appears, clear blue skies and greenery in her paintings”. Scores of art lovers vied for selfies with Dr Laxma and Priyanka against backdrop of her works.
Priyanka’s works illustrate her journey, taking inspiration from the cultural traditions of Mughal and Rajput miniature traditions. However, without being strictly traditional, images from contemporary life overlap every now and then reminding of the relevance of cultural roots and postmodern times, says Dr Nirmala Biluka, artist/researcher, in her preface to “Proverbial Pathways”.
A striking feature of the show of Proverbial Pathways is the presence of a large number of youngsters – boys and girls – at the gallery rubbing shoulders with the elders. In most paintings, we can see floating tigers or horses or knights from medieval imagery, bursting on the midway – pathways – flanked by full of greenery or nature. At some places, we can feel the world of James’ Cameron’s Avatar backdrops.
Drawn acrylic on canvass in varying sizes, these pictures captivate us for long after we leave the show. Many of works from earlier shows too are on display here. There is a perceptible craving to get closer to nature, through art, in the post- Covid times. After all, Priyanka, born in 1990, is a young artist of post-liberalization era. A must watch show for all those who love art or those who want to love art.
Very nicely written, srk
Very nicely written article about Priyanka the Artist
Thank you Bachi 😍