Get set for Mumbai’s first-ever art show on masks

Some 9,000 years ago, it is said that Neolithic man attempted and also succeeded to make masks out of stone. Coming up in the city is an interesting art exhibition where the artists have given shape to their creativity on masks.

Rajiv Puranter, one of the curators of the show, says, “We wanted to experiment with a different medium which was unusual. So, we decided to go ahead with masks that say a thousand words about its existence.”

The 30 masks displayed at the exhibition are created by emerging artists who were hand-picked from an art exhibition three years ago.

“We went to check out a show at Jehangir art gallery three years ago. We short-listed 12 artists and they are showing at this exhibition,” explains Rajiv. He continues, “We decided not to restrict them by giving them any kind of themes. The result is very interesting art works.”

 Artist Somnath Mane has portrayed his emotions on the masks. There was a phase when he was unwell and he has created a mask with the message of ‘get well soon’. Artist Kinnari Sanghavi has portrayed the journey of life through kites on her mask. The price of the masks ranges from Rs 50,000 to  two-and-a-half lakh.

This exhibition includes a survey of many facets of human desire to be something else, an inquiry into man’s need for metaphysics and the human urge to be with nature, a polemic of how human beings see humans and a meditation on how self is seen.

Mask Factor will be showcased at Kamalnayan Bajaj art gallery, Nariman Point, till March 2.