IndiaPost.com - Beyond Strokes

KULLU: As a part of the Uru Swati celebrations at the International Roerich Memorial Trust at Naggar, "Beyond Strokes" showcasing the artworks of Kiran Soni Gupta opened on July 24, amidst a large gathering of art lovers across the globe. The art show was inaugurated by Fiorenfa Bortocotti, a well known architect and President of Italian Roerich Society from Italy and a proud resident of Crookety House in Kalimpong.

A large number of children and budding artists too were present. Kiran took the opportunity to share her experiences and techniques with them. The event proved to a fulfillment of the dream of Helena Roerich of truly making Naggar an international centre for interaction and sharing of art amongst people at home and abroad. The art lovers from nine countries- Lithunia, Slovakia, Netherlands, US, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Greece were all praise for the creativity, spontaneity and versatility of Indian art. To quote one of the scientists from Ukraine who was a party to the proceedings, "If people in government can develop such sensitivity and empathy, the world would definitely become a happier place". Alena Adamkova honored the artist.

Kiran seems to be a complete departure from the stereotyped bureaucrat keeping her creativity and soul alive through her childhood interest which is now fully blossomed into a passion and obsession. The paintings captivate the essence of life in India from the ordinary and mundane to the emerging new patterns of contemporary society. The art exhibit will be on display at Modern Art Exhibition Hall Of the International Roerich Memorial Trust Naggar, Kullu Distt., HP from July 24 to August 14. Kiran Soni Gupta is an artist, writer and an activist administrator. She is presently Divisional Commissioner, Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

After joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1985 she has held various distinguished assignments in the Government of India, Kerala & Rajasthan. Kiran has studied public policy and development at the best schools, Maxwell Syracuse and the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University where she was a Mason Fellow in 2005-06. Her concerns about various contemporary issues have been expressed regularly in her writings in many national/ international newspapers/journals. It is however through the brush and paint that Kiran's creativity finds best illustration.

Her works reflect not only her conviction on issues of women, children, poverty, development and environment, but also her sensitivity, keen observation, and also, an abounding faith in humanity. From sketches, pen and ink works to mixed media, Kiran has given new dimensions to art forms, both traditional and modern. Creativity with colors and experimentation has given her work depth as well as impact.

Diverse assignments have provided her opportunities to travel and also, to stay with amidst nature as different as the tropical forests and beaches of Kerala and the desert scrublands of Rajasthan. This exposure finds expression in her landscapes in oil, water colors and also mixed media. The iconic influence of the spirituality of her surroundings is seen in many of her paintings in the Tanjore style. Kiran's association with well known artists & masters has led her to some of her best etchings, wood cuts, linocuts, lithography & calligraphies.

Of late she has produced a series of more than three dozen works titled the 'Harmony' reflecting various forms of the relationships between man & his environment. She organized the "Kala Kumb" through community support in March 2003 that attracted a congregation of 150 artists from all over the country. Her works have been exhibited at different national/international events more recently at California, New York, Cambridge, Syracuse, Toronto, Chicago, London, Iran and Srilanka. Her paintings on the "Famine" depicting its impact on women and children in India, won her a National Award in 2003.

Another painting the "Matters of Heart" was commended in the All India Fine Arts Exhibition. She was also a visiting artist at the East West Centre, Hawaii. Her recent artworks auctions in Cambridge for raising charity for children's food and education have helped her in realizing her vision of art for social cause. She also won the Valparaiso Foundation Fellowship, Mojacar, Spain in 2007. She has been recently honored with the "Kala Shiromani Award"2008. She believes that man's soul is the architect of history and that art is the manifestation of man's soul and reflection of human identity. Art is unbounded and recognizes no constraints.

Her recent artworks auctions in Cambridge for raising charity for children's food and education have helped her in realizing her vision of art for social causes. In modern times, art is playing a dominant role in bringing about social change transcending borders and minds. Art is the domain of the dialogue between civilizations and cultures; it can speak in a loud and penetrating voice. Art is most often seen as pleasing the eye - creating beauty. Yet the idea of beauty, like that of truth, is most challenging in the present day.

If something moves you to an understanding, somehow unreachable for you, by the common paths of words and reason, it's Art for you. Art is not for the sake of anything…. each art work in its own right depicts the image of the soul of the artist and the society at large. For her the truth rings in words of Paul Klee, "A single day is enough to make us a little larger or, another time, a little smaller'.