Bhuwal Prasad's upcoming solo show at Gallerie Nvya is a new spin on the traditional art
'I never plan my paintings,' he says. 'Whatever I see becomes a part of the canvas.' Prasad's exhibition Whimsical Lines: Urban Refrain Through Tribal Abstraction opens at Gallerie Nvya on Saturday.
His artworks brim with tribal motifs including jewellery, animals, toys, and wall art works. He gives them a twist with the chaos of city life and also throws in unexpected science fiction elements. Hidden aliens, spaceships, and UFOs fill his canvases hinting at his fascination with the unknown and a world beyond our own. 'Technology is advancing so fast, sometimes I feel there are aliens behind it,' he says. .
Prasad's process is as intriguing as his imagery. Inspired by crumpled papers and urban waste, he began experimenting with jute, fibre, and resin to mimic the textures of things we discard on a daily basis.
One of his works in mixed-media that stands out at the exhibition is titled 'Urban Crowd Filled'. It transforms trash-like textures into vibrant surfaces for storytelling. 'I wanted to paint on things we usually ignore and show how beauty can emerge from chaos,' he says. Though his work draws heavily from folk and tribal influences, Prasad insists he is not a tribal artist in the traditional sense. Rather, his art is more of a bridge between the simplicity of tribal life and the layered intricacy of urban existence. This duality is reflected in his use of colour — the clashing shades much like the contrasting rhythms of rural and urban life, create a soothing impact that define his paintings. Some of his paintings are monochrome, too — blue, black or pink, and convey a stark silence.
Prasad's portraits, much like his other works, are layered. Some reflect the stillness of nature, others the wild energy of human emotions. One of the works features conjoined twins while another captures tribal adornments and rituals. Each canvas evokes free and different interpretation.
'People often tell me things about my art that I didn't even realise,' he smiles. Prasad studied Fine Arts in Varanasi, a city that shaped his aesthetic sense as much as his hometown did.
Currently based in Delhi, his journey from rural Uttar Pradesh to the capital is reflected in his evolving style. A painting from his college days, still in his possession, reminds him of how far he has come. 'I've changed, and so has my art,' he says and adds, 'I still paint like a child, just feeling, not overthinking.'
For fellow artist Rohan, Prasad's work offers endless intrigue. 'I can look at his work for hours, There's always something new to find in his paintings,' he says. Maybe because Prasad's art doesn't dictate meaning. It nudges people to explore the spontaneity of his artistic experimentation. In its quiet complexity, his work suggests that beauty often emerges from the very chaos we try to escape.
Prasad's strokes on the raw textures are bold enough to make people pause and understand the dynamic interplay of tradition and modernity.
Priya Prakash
At Gallerie Nyva, Square One Designer Arcade, Saket; May 24 to June 28; 11am to 7pm (Sundays closed)
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