Strokes of culture: how ‘The Friendly Brush Strokes' became more than just art

Indian Express

2 days ago

Written by Bhoomika Roy Bannerjee
Within the walls of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath in Bengaluru, something quietly powerful and creative is taking place – The Friendly Brush Strokes, an art exhibition that was not born in the studios of professional curators or commercial galleries but in a moment of kinship between five strangers-turned-friends.
At first glance, it appears like any other modest art exhibition. But as you step inside, you can hear the brushstrokes whisper stories of self-taught journeys and passion nurtured through years of working other jobs.
'None of us knew each other before last year's Chitra Santhe,' says Christopher M, the event's organiser. 'We admired each other's works, spoke, and laughed, and the idea just sparked. Over a year's worth of discussion, we came up with the idea of this exhibition.'
Christopher, a self-taught artist from Kerala, spent over 25 years in advertising before choosing to return to the world he had first touched with pencil sketch outlines as a child. Today, he is as comfortable creating oil paintings as he is with digital art on canvas. His story alone could fill a gallery, but it's the collective voice of the group that makes this show remarkable.
Alongside him stands a diverse group of artists —Meghna Chowhan, Shrinivas, Sojaa Soman, and Meera. Some of them were lawyers and civil engineers. Some are full-time artists. Each presents a unique style, ranging from acrylics and mural painting to the famous Gond tribal style of art practised in Madhya Pradesh.
Every piece was created using just a brush—no mixed media, no embellishments. That simplicity is part of the point. 'We wanted to name it something honest,' explains Christopher. 'We all work with brushes. And more importantly, we've become friends through our variety of styles using a singular tool.'
There is no overarching theme, but the exhibition isn't about aligning styles, but about what happens when five people believe their art deserves an audience. 'We are just seeing how it goes, as this is our first group exhibition,' Christopher says when asked about the future of The Friendly Brush Strokes. 'If people respond, if this works—maybe it becomes a yearly thing.'
In a world where creativity often fights for space, an exhibition like this serves as a reminder that art does not always need a grand hall or curatorial statements to matter. Sometimes, all it takes is five brushes and one shared wall.
The exhibition will be open to visitors until July 6.
The author is an intern with The Indian Express.