Chandigarh, 18 July, 2013 : With a primary objective to foster culture contacts within the region and to accord recognition to artists, Haryana Institute of Fine Arts (HIFA), a leading cultural organisation of North India, under the aegis of Ministry of Culture and State government organised a four day group exhibition at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16, Chandigarh, starting today. The group exhibition which is put by more than 100 artists from Haryana showcased their awarded artwork which included Paintings, Graphic Prints, Photographs and Sculpture art.
“With good blend of hues and material, new experiments in art works could be witnessed at the exhibition “stated Padambhushan Sh Krishen Khanna under whose supremacy the art exhibition took place. Not only strong in colour and composition but technically too, these art works are all set to create new dimensions in the field of fine arts stated Mr Krishen . For the state artists who are less supported in the absence any academies, HIFA’s this effort to provide such platforms seems to be a serene and sincere effort for a state like Haryana, he pointed . Thanking HIFA for choosing him for lifetime achievement and awarding cash prize of Rupees One lakh , he stated , “While passion for art is what keeps an artist going, recognition, support undoubtly gives them impetus “.
Providing much clarity, Dr Piush Kumar, Secretary, HIFA stated, “Art is scaling new heights every day in Haryana but with less support in the absence of academies in Haryana. Keeping present scenario in mind, HIFA has decided to include such cultural activities as part of their charter, and this first cultural bonanza will be a milestone for promoting artists of Haryana and to foster cultural contacts. “We through this cultural bonanza have tried to provide a platform for artists and will be awarding the young artists with cash money, to help them continue with their passion for art “, he stated. Informing about the awards , he informed , “ there are in total 11 awards which will be distributed on various days “
Also we have bought 6 major publishers for the book exhibition which is a part of this cultural bonanza.
About the Awardees
Padambhushan Sh Krishen Khana – Award of senior fellowship of Rs 1,00,0000, citation and Angvastram for this lifetime achievements and contribution.
Krishen Khanna is one of the distinguished names in the Indian contemporary art scenario. Along with his friends M.F. Husain, Tyeb Mehta, Ram Kumar, Raza, Souza, Gaitonde and others; Khanna started painting at a time when there was not much glitz in art. He was born in pre partition India in 1925 in the Lyallpur district (now in Pakistan). He then moved to Shimla during the partition era. In Lahore, Khanna attended evening classes at the Mayo School of Art. After coming to India, he took up a job with Grindlays Bank and was placed in Mumbai. But he gave up a job in Grindlays Bank to pursue art about four decades ago. During that time the art scenario was much different and enclosed than what it is now. His ardor for art motivated him to take such a step. His hard work, perseverance and interest won him many rewards and accolades in the art world. Krishen Khanna has also taught art in the United States without any formal academic qualification in the subject. The artist’s sympathy towards the browbeaten and poor people is vivid in his paintings. Depiction of violence and can also be seen in Khanna’s work coming from his experiences during the Partition. .
Khanna sold his first painting in a major exhibition in to Dr. Homi Bhabha for the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. His father always encouraged and supported him to pursue art as a career. In fact his wife also supported him when he resigned from the job. Khanna shows and exhibitions in Mumbai were very well received and this boosted up his confidence. Khanna was also invited to join the Progressive Artists’ Group with whom he remained involved for the rest of his time.
In 1962, Khanna was awarded the ‘Rockefeller Fellowship’. In 1963-64, he was ‘the Artist in Residence’ at the American University in Washington. Apart from several solo shows, he has participated in group shows like the ‘Tokyo Biennale’ in 1957 and 196 1, the ‘Sao Paulo Biennale’ in 1960, ‘the Venice Biennale’ in 1962, and several others. Khanna has held many vital positions in decision-making bodies of the Lalit Kala Academy, National Gallery of Modern Art and Roopanker Museum, Bhopal. In 1996, he was awarded the grand ‘Padma Shri’.
Khanna does not prefer the cornucopia of figuration which was so evident in Indian paintings. Khanna makes such an incredible impact on the canvas that it sure leaves a dint in the on-lookers heart. His masterful maneuver of painting evokes the unmatched feelings of human situation. The thick impasto façade of the painting often seems like a prism through which figures can be distinguished. Khanna relocates his observations onto the canvas with such naturalness and exuberance that it enhances his subject matter. His earlier works are replicas of scenes that have imprinted themselves on his mind during the partition. Khanna lives and works in New Delhi.
Smt Kavita Jaiswal – Award of Fellowship of Rs 51,000 /- ; Citation and Angvastram
An eminent contemporary Indian artist, Kavita Jaiswal, is one of the significant contributors towards Abstract Expressionism today. Working for over 30 years, she has been well received and recognised all over the world.Kavita’s works are seen in the prestigious collections of the National Gallery of Modern Art New Delhi, The Ebrahim Alkazi Collection, the Society for Scottish Artists Collection Edinburgh, the Sahitya Kala Parishad New Delhi Collection amongst other major private collections in India and Abroad. She has also participated in a number of National and International exhibitions, such as the Indian Women Artists show, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi ;International Women Artists show AIFACS New Delhi ; Bharat Bhavan Biennial, Bhopal; Exhibition of Indian Women Artists organized by National Gallery of Modern Art in Bulgaria and Poland to name a few. Kavita’s, works have been published in books and catalogues: ‘DusMahavidyas’ Ten Creative Forces by KeshavMalik, published by Ravi Kumar;The Indian Art Collectors Handbook by Dr AlkaPande; ‘Subconscious excavations’ published by Gallery Alternatives New Delhi; ‘Silent Moments ‘ published by The British Council and Art Alive New Delhi; ‘Cognizance’ published by The Art Heritage New Delhi; ‘No beginning No End’ published by Art Konsult New Delhi.
Dr Ram Viranjan and Sh Brahm Prakash Sponsorship for Solo exhibitions of Rs 50,000 to each
Priyanka Batra / Amarjeet / Pardeep Kumar
Best Exhibit Award under ‘competition section ‘of Rs 40,000 and personal Diploma to each
Yeg Kishore Banger / Rishi Raj Tomer
Hon’ble Mention Award under ‘competition section “ of Rs 21,000 and personal diploma to each
Pavendra Kumar Tiwari / Anchal Wadhwa
Special Mention Award under ‘completion section of Rs 11,000 and personal diploma to each