Testing Boundaries :mandalas..

Mandala (Sanskrit: मण्डल Maṇḍala, 'circle') is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the Universe. The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. Each gate is in the general shape of a T. Mandalas often exhibit radial balance.

I am attracted by the idea of "mandalas" for further investigation in my work: Testing Boundaries because I remember quite clearly when I was a child that mandala designs used to be drawn in most of the yards of people of Hindu faith. This was a practice brought from India by the Indian Immigrants and designs varied with mixtures of crushed rice and colours.  These works were famously known as "rangoli"

 This is an unfinished work on which I am planning to work more...

Staring at paintings: my own work..

These are the photographs of a work that I did in 2006 which constituted of two hundred pieces of faces made from hard cardboard. Now only a few of these cardboard are left as most have been damaged and unfortunately I have not been able to find the photos taken at that time. These are recent ones taken as I was looking back at what I used to do to ponder further on with my investigation Staring at Paintings.

Testing Boundaries...

This is a glimpse of an experiment following my research concerning portraits of Indian Immigrants at their time of their coming to Mauritius. I was really excited about their features for they were men and women who worked the soil and this could even be perceived just by looking at their faces. I was faintly reminded of Van Gogh's "Potato Eaters".

From photograph..

Testing my Boundaries : Research..

Following our group conversation last night, I wanted to deepen my research on what I wanted to do. As we were discussing, I realised that I needed to orient myself and visualising the Indian Indentured labourers seemed a good idea to start with.. These are some photographs found of that time (which I personally find great) from which I will be starting with...   

 

 

Testing Boundaries..

PROPOSAL.

Historical.

Mauritius has since long remained a green inhabited island. When finally discovered and colonised, slaves from Africa and Indian indentured labourers (my ancestors amongst them) were brought in (1847) to clear the island of its dense vegetation and for the plantation of sugarcane. Arab traders and Chinese immigrants also settled in for trade. The Indian workers,bringing their culture with them, used to have gatherings primarily for the recitation of the holy book and the propagation of the Hindi language and philosophy. Initially ,the gathering place was called the "baitka" and it existed all through the island.

 The "baitka" played a substitute to schools as there was none at that time. However, with the advent of schools and colleges, the "baitka" lost the purpose for which they were established. Their numbers started to decline drastically and today there are only a handful of them around the island. Apart from their primary original objective, they have diversified their activities and included amongst other things meditation, yoga classes and Indian classical dance.

Aim:

The aim of my project is to revive the nostalgia and give a glimpse of the essence that represented the concept of the "baitka". For the project that I am planning to do,I will be utilising concepts related to the people of that time: the dress code, the description of holy scriptures and books, letterings of Hindi languages and include actual happenings as forms and postures of meditation/yoga for example.

Remarks/Comments.
Out of the box/Comfort zone: Almost all of my exhibitions have been gallery related and this concept really appealed to me as I had also been thinking about how to bring my art to the public in general and really fitted the notion of space and composition that I had explored for my Year 1-Unit Essay.

 Chosen Place:
This is the actual building of the "baitka" of New-Grove (my locality) which was founded in 1932. I have been able to talk with the President and members who have given their consent for me to conduct my project at the "baitka". 

 

Staring at paintings: Michael Adams from Seychelles.

MICHAEL ADAMS.

This is a painter who I am most particularly fond of, who is most cherished in his island. His works are in the same line as those I have considered recently, however, he sometimes brings in a little complexity (with much dexterity I must say) which takes the work to another level and this aspect is what I particularly admire. Each time I look at his works, it is as if I'm stunned with what is in front of me. Here are paintings full of details with different focal points where one is literally taken to a joyful ride... Abundant,luxurious,vivid...and classy.

Staring at paintings: Mauritian artist Mila Gupta.

MILA GUPTA.
 

 

One of the well-known artist in Mauritius, Mila Gupta's paintings are often pleasantly overcrowded with vivid colours evolving around Mauritian flora and local landscapes. However, an atmosphere of harmony and a sense of tranquility prevail from most of her works, inviting the viewer to participate in a joyful experience..

Staring at paintings: George Camille (from the island of Seychelles)

GEORGE CAMILLE.
www.georgecamille.com

 George is a Seychellois artist whose work covers an immense range of subject and media. His paintings, etchings, embossed copper work, canvas collages and 'objet trouves', have great power and presence. His paintings capture ...the colour and spirit of Creole life. Camille has four dedicated galleries as well as a permanent exhibition in Fregate Island Gallery. He is also the Air Seychelles, and “Seychelles in your Pocket" (a popular guidebook) cover artist.

 

Staring at paintings : Gerard Devoud from the island of Seychelles..

GERARD DEVOUD.

 

Gerard Devoud is considered one of the best known artist in Seychelles, and personally I feel much connection with his style. The paintings are mostly about the beauty of his Island and I can fully recognise (and primarily appreciate)the vibrant colours present on our islands with the long hours of sunshine and luxurious vegetation. He depicts this rich atmosphere with slashes of brilliant red,green and yellow with such a right balance..really refreshing and creative...