Hand-painted horse head sculptures are the highlight of a show, the proceeds of which will be donated to two NGOs
If there’s one thing that can be said about the art exhibition Breaking Barriers, it’s that it has its heart in the right place. Thirty leading artists of the country have worked on this collection of 50 extraordinary hand-painted horse head sculptures, which have been designed and produced by sculptor Arzan Khambatta. The proceeds will go to two charities, namely Khelshala, a sports-based NGO and Passages — a charitable organisation working to raise awareness about breast cancer. And bringing all these efforts to life is Worli’s Gallery Art and Soul. The showstopper of the exhibition is an eight feet tall horse sculpture by Paris-based artist Sujata Bajaj. After Hrs caught up with Tarana Khubchandani, Director of Gallery Art and Soul to know more about the show.
On the idea behind Breaking Barriers
The concept of Breaking Barriers germinated way before we even decided about the cause or that these would be horse motifs. For me personally, the horse is a positive and dynamic animal that shows movement and resonates with everyone as we all want to move forward with a positive mind, become more dynamic and stay happy. I have been trying to create awareness for breast cancer via Passages for the last 20 years now and have done several projects. Then I came across Satinder Bajwa, a man who left his career as a coach at the prestigious Harward University, training athletes to become world champions in squash to come to Chandigarh to start Khelshala and help children ‘get off the streets and into the courts.’ There is nothing more inspiring than that and when we heard of it, we knew we had to collaborate in some way and that is how Breaking Barriers shaped up.
Arzan Khambatta’s sculpture
On the highlights of the show
According to me, the highlight is the price point as art collectibles become available at reasonable prices to young art collectors. One can own big names in the art world for a price like no other and also contribute to great causes at the same time, thereby doing good while getting a unique art work as well. All the artists that have come together for Breaking Barriers have done so at a fraction of the cost, and every artist has been so true to their work, each sculpture depicts their true style. They have painted them like they paint their canvases, with so much attention to detail and authenticity that I cannot even thank them enough. We have consciously decided to price them in a way so as to sell every piece, raise maximum funds, and allow the youth a chance to own works from some legendary artists.
While Tarana did pick a few of her favourites from the show, she admits that it’s hard as all the works are special in their own way
Jaideep Mehrotra
Jaideep is one artist who is always trying to re-invent himself. He is also individualistic in nature. I feel with this horse, he is breaking the barrier for himself. From the geometric lines to the colour scheme, it’s unlike any work seen earlier.
Paresh Maity
Paresh Maity has treated the horse just like a canvas and painted true to his identity and style. None of the work is lost, even though it is a three dimensional horse head and not a flat canvas. From the strong lines to the colour balance, it’s a signature Paresh Maity and that is the beauty.
Jayasri Burman
Again, this is completely true to her character and art style. I have seen her work in progress and how she tirelessly worked on this piece. It was challenging for sure for any artist, but even the way she signed it, is exactly like how she would sign her painting. She adopted the whole painting like an extension of the horse and it’s amazing what she came up with.
Ajay De
Ajay De has pushed himself even when I didn’t even expect it. His concept was so unusual. He has stuck to his signature monochromatic tones and added an element of blue. However, he has then painted a human figure on the horse which is absolutely unexpected. His work is soothing but one has to admire it for a long time to delve into the intricacies of the same.
Manu Parekh
Manu Parekh is the true master of colours. One can never comprehend how he puts blue, pink, purple and green all on one canvas and makes them work beautifully. He has then drawn over the colours which makes this horse even more unique. There is so much going on, yet it seems simplistic. The work is striking as well as thought provoking.
Brinda Miller
Brinda Miller is most famed for her architectural way of design. However, with the horse head, she has added vibrant hues of grey, blacks and whites merging with the architectural undertones in a seamless manner, something extraordinary, that no one else has dabbled with.
Breaking Barriers is on at Jehangir Art Gallery till December 5.
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 "Tarana Khubchandani (left); and Sujata Bajaj with daughter Helena and her horse sculpture")
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