30 artists, 300 artworks: Art Bengaluru Collective launches exhibition at Rangoli Metro Art Centre
In this photo essay, we showcase a range of creative works by the Art Bengaluru Collective.
Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 925 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.
The Art Bengaluru Collective recently launched a three-day exhibition at Rangoli Metro Art Centre on MG Road. The festival featured over 30 visual artists and 300 artworks spread across three galleries.
Actor and singer Vasundhara Das formally launched the festival, which had an exciting mix of paintings in water colour, acrylic, oil pastels, charcoal and graphic illustrations. Artists from the US, UK, France, and Australia also participated.
Art Bengaluru Collective was launched in 2022 by journalist-artist Rasheed Kappan and painter-theatre practitioner Ranji David. Its aim is to democratise access to art and promote artistic appreciation for the public.
Its earlier shows have been held at the Karnataka ChitraKala Parishath and Bangalore International Centre. The shows included live art talks, portraits, and caricatures.
Over 250 artists are part of the Art Bengaluru Collective network. The forum promotes creative community engagement and fosters a sense of camaraderie.
“Over the last three years, Art Bengaluru Collective has emerged as a platform for both professional and upcoming artists to showcase their works. It should help the artists build lasting bonds, while amplifying the reach of their artworks,” Rasheed Kappan tells YourStory.
Featured artists include Anila Ostwal, Beena KS, Bhavya AS, Darpan MC, Ekta Jaiswal, Juhi Mishra, Nidhi Sandesh, Preethi Mukund, Ranji David, Sanjay Lavakere, Shobha Kurup, Sindhu Bhairavi, Shraddha Soni, and Swarnima Joshi.
Anila Ostwal is a commercial artist with over 20 years of expertise in graphic and fashion design. She draws inspiration from the vivid folk art and culture of Rajasthan. Beena KS is an alumnus of NIT Calicut, and embarked on her artistic journey after retiring from an engineering career.
Bhavya AS has over 10 years of painting experience, and trained under different masters to build a rich foundation in multiple techniques. Darpan MC, from Chamarajendra Government College of Visual Arts, explores visual storytelling through photography. “My creative process begins with simple observations of my surroundings and the emotions they spark within me,” he says.
Ekta Jaiswal quit her full-time corporate job to dive deep into art, art shows and commissioned works. Her medium is oil on canvas, with a fondness for vibrant hues and calming blues. Juhi Mishra focuses on realism, combining intricate details and subtle nuances of life.
Nidhi Sandesh is a wildlife artist from the Western Ghats, and reflects her deep connection to the wilderness through her paintings. Preethi Mukund, a self-taught artist based in Bengaluru, uses acrylic on canvas and threads in her works.
Sanjay Lavakere has over 30 years of experience as an IT professional and now dedicates himself to abstract, semi-abstract, art deco, and avant-garde styles. Shobha Kurup is a paediatrician and artist, skilled in acrylic, watercolour, charcoal and soft pastels,
Sindhu Bhairavi explores the inner worlds of women through her art, portraying strength, vulnerability and grace. Shraddha Soni is an artist, handwriting analyst, graphotherapist, IT professional and writer.
Swarnima Joshi paints in oil, acrylic and watercolour. She is also an art teacher, and promotes the creative spirit in young minds.
“Our dream is to curate a space where artists of various backgrounds and ethnicity come together and make Bengaluru a vibrant space. We are hoping this builds a greater sense of camaraderie which allows artists, who usually work in isolation, to share, ideate and grow as artists and as human beings,” Art Bengaluru Collective Co-founder Ranji David signs off.
Now what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?
(All photographs taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at Rangoli Metro Art Centre.)