Sneak peek: Laxman and Priyanka Aelay’s new collection of work to be showcased at State Gallery of Artwork, Hyderabad

The themes and kinds of father-daughter duo artists Laxman and Priyanka Aelay are starkly completely different from one another. His floral-themed work in vivid hues painting ladies in a festive environment in rural Telangana, whereas her work depict the deep, mysterious forests with its numerous natural world. Nicely-defined drawings type the premise of his work, whereas her types are extra free flowing. This author received a preview of their new collection at their studio in Somajiguda, Hyderabad, forward of their exhibition on the State Gallery of Artwork, Hyderabad, from September 18 to 25. In October, the artists will likely be showcasing their respective collection at Jehangir Artwork Gallery, Mumbai. That is the primary time the 2 will likely be internet hosting their solo exhibits concurrently on the two galleries. 

A festive, floral collection

Laxman Aelay’s Poolamma – the Goddess of Life collection of work has a floral theme, impressed by Bathukamma festivities of Telangana. The massive format work, a few of them measuring 6×8 ft or extra, function rural Telangana ladies draped in vivid saris, carrying jewelry and flowers. The floral theme dominates each the background and the motifs on the saris; vibrant colors come collectively in concord within the work. 

A portray from Laxman Aelay’s Poolamma – the Goddess of Life collection
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

Step nearer to the work and the distinct drawing outlines are seen. “Drawing continues to be the premise of my work,” the artist reiterates. The work have been achieved on a linen canvas and Laxman Aelay explains, “I like to make use of the reverse (beige) facet of the canvas, which provides my work a matt, moderately than a gloss, end for a extra conventional look.”

The veteran artist will likely be exhibiting 20 to 25 work, a couple of drawings and etchings from the Poolamma collection. He had conceptualised the collection a couple of years in the past however a number of work took form through the pandemic. The normal Tangedu (the State flower of Telangana) and different stylised flowers are within the background. The work brim with distinct blues, oranges, pinks and greens along with vermillion reds and turmeric yellows: “I wished particular shades that aren’t used usually and imported among the colors,” he says. 

A portray from Laxman Aelay’s Poolamma – the Goddess of Life collection
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

A number of work depict one or two ladies, whereas a couple of function teams of girls dressed for the festivities. The expressions, posture of the ladies and the selection of floral motifs stop monotony from creeping in. Flowers and birds impressed by kalamkari block prints function within the synthetic-looking saris worn by the ladies: “Rural ladies have taken to carrying artificial saris (as a result of affordability) and lots of conventional handloom motifs are being recreated on these saris. I wished my work to replicate that,” causes Laxman Aelay.

Meditative, mysterious forests

Priyanka’s fashion is markedly completely different from that of her father and consciously so, she says: “My father grew up in rural Telangana whereas I had an city upbringing. If I portrayed rural males, ladies and their existence, it wouldn’t be as genuine and lived-in as his work. I realised this within the second or third yr of my commencement and consciously started creating an individualistic strategy to artwork.”

A portray from the Proverbial Pathways collection by Priyanka Aelay
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

Natural world, significantly wild cats, have been her signature themes. She had additionally exhibited a collection of pen and ink drawings. With time, she observes that her artwork has grow to be extra spontaneous and free flowing. The natural world are nonetheless predominant in her work, however she notices a refinement as her work evolves. She will likely be exhibiting greater than 30 work as a part of the collection titled Proverbial Pathways. Deep forests, joyous floral and fauna and her interpretation of the folktale Bala Nagamma are among the themes explored. 

“I’ve a tough imagery in thoughts once I start portray. If I intend to color wilderness, the completely different components fall into place as soon as I start portray. I can not pre-meditate the exact shapes of the branches of the bushes or the position of birds and animals,” Priyanka explains. Tigers in vivid colors make an look often, offsetting the darkish forests. In a single portray, what might be inferred as a brooding forest will get remodeled by the presence of joyous birds. Tibetan clouds make an look in a couple of artworks.

A portray from the Proverbial Pathways collection by Priyanka Aelay
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

A definite facet of Priyanka’s work is to make the work seem as if she has enlarged a small portion of a bigger forest space: “The branches of a tree don’t finish; there’s a sense of continuity past the body. I like to present the viewers a way of eager to be transported to the wilderness.” The bushes in among the work draw inspiration from miniature portray kinds and Jataka Tales as properly. 

Proverbial Pathways was not meant as a collection, says Priyanka. Particular person work took form in the previous few years, as she dealt with obligations from being a newlywed to turning into a younger mom whereas pursuing her post-doctoral research in artwork: “I submitted my PhD thesis seven months in the past. Given the a number of issues I used to be juggling, I didn’t work on a linear collection. My artwork was spontaneous and unpredictable.”

(Poolamma – the Goddess of Life and Proverbial Pathways will likely be on view at State Gallery of Artwork, Hyderabad, from September 18 to 25)