Giving Wings To Artistic Creativity
Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation's 'Artists’ Initiative Program' is an ongoing project to identify and promote talent, while supporting artists with the required funding, mentoring and providing opportunities to showcase their works.
The Founders
Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini, co-founders of the institution, explain their thought process and vision behind starting the Foundation.
Birth of the Foundation (2019-02) by Studio 080Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Birth Of the Foundation
Sandeep of the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation explains how and why SGMF was launched, and importantly, why the Artists Initiative Program is close to her heart.
One of the objectives of the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation is to identify and promote new and upcoming talent and showcase them in Bengaluru, where they have never been seen before. The Foundation specifically chooses artists who might otherwise find academic and viewer attention difficult to access.
Constellation (2019-04) by Anni KumariSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Cosmic Explosion
The artist's works are based on cosmic forms and often depict stellar formations.
Each dot in this whorl has been painted by hand, without any stencil or mould. The intricate pattern creates a sense of motion and a meditative experience for the viewer.
Star Struck (2019-04) by Anni KumariSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
The Constellation
The artist visualises a constellation and paints her interpretation on canvas. She says, "each dot is like a burst of light and the white glows and twinkles like stars in a night sky."
Anni Kumari's works are a display of precision. She takes more than 3 months to create a work like this sized 24 by 36 inches.
Prithvi - Body as Earth (2020-02) by Bharti PrajapatiSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Prithvi
"Celebrations, art, design, culture and traditions are inspired by nature and the elements. My paintings are about the elements and their connect with us - patterns, colours, forms from folk and art inspired by the elements are recreated in these works," says Bharti Prajapati.
Aakash -The Sky as Conscience (2020-02) by Bharti PrajapatiSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
“Nature along with moods and patterns are imbibed in our physical and physiological evolution. We are part of this complex, which I attempt to portray through my collection of oil paintings.”
Jal - Water as Mind (2020-02) by Bharti PrajapatiSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
“This collection is a collage of colours and forms constantly visible around us, and how we recreate them into our lifestyle and space.”
"A cherished inclusion in Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation's Artists’ Initiative Program (AIP) early on, Bharti Prajapati has showcased her works through gallery g over the years. Hence it was only befitting that when the gallery turned 18 in February 2020, we exhibit a solo show by one of our valued artists, who has been associated with the Foundation for a long time,” says Gitanjali Maini.
Prajapati's Earth Story is about the wonderful co-existence and interaction between the living beings and surroundings. Women and rural theme has been a constant in Prajapati’s paintings. The people, the lifestyle, the contrasts of the arid landscape with the vivid colours of her palette are breathtaking. Rustic backdrops and earthy tones in her paintings get combined with ethnic emotions, bringing about a subtle, yet distinct character in her expression.
Birth of the Foundation (2019-02) by Studio 080Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Gangireddu - Basava (2019-02) by Mohd OsmanSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Dance With The Bulls
The artist says he has been fascinated by the ‘gangireddu’ as it forms an intrinsic part of life as he saw it when he lived in the village.
Gangireddu - Pair at Play (2019-02) by Mohd OsmanSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Gangireddu as described by artist Osman
"The gangireddu’ can perform stunning feats.The ox can dance to the tune of its master’s nadaswaram, nod at his command, shake its head in denial, kneel down and prostrate, bow down when asked."
The artist who has grown up witnessing the intricate dance and movements of the gangireddu says it has been so supremely trained that at the behest of its master, will even open its mouth and put out its tongue as if it were singing.
Gangireddu - Radha Krishna (2019-02) by Mohd OsmanSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Osman has painted a number of canvasses showcasing this fascinating subject. The artist also has a recurring theme with the bulls -- that of Lord Krishna.
He has painted them alongside Lord Krishna and Radha, and for his latest series of work titled ‘Dance With The Bulls’ he created a special series showcasing the feats they perform.
“We saw the two bulls on the cover of the gallery invitation and it was love at first sight. We called immediately and bought them on the spot. They have been the centrepieces of our home through 6 different moves. Every time we unpack, the first decision is “where will the bulls go?”. They add so much life, colour and character to our home. They are always a conversation starter and cast a spell on everyone who views them.”
Art collectors Rana & Sanjana Kashyap, New York.
"These beasts are dedicated to their masters and are possibly one of the least appreciated cultural phenomenons of our country. Capturing them in all their glory on my canvas is nothing but a small tribute to them,” explains Osman.
Gods & Nature - Saraswati (Knowledge) (2019-02) by Ganapati HegdeSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Saraswati: The Goddess of Knowledge
Worshipped for her ability to grant knowledge and facilitate learning, Ganapati portrays the goddess astride her mount, a beautiful swan.
Saraswati: The Goddess of Knowledge
The artist has created her features using bunches of leaves, flowers and fruit, while her musical instrument - the veena - is constructed using pumpkins.
Gods & Nature - Ganesha (2019-02) by Ganapati HegdeSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Ganapati: The Bestower of Wisdom
A simple, yet mysterious concept of using flowers, leaves and fruits to recreate the form of God on his canvas.
Here the artist uses the red hibiscus flower, with its curved stamen, to denote Lord Ganapati's head and trunk. This is a painting of the Lord with 3 heads.
Gods & Nature - Krishna (2019-02) by Ganapati HegdeSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Krishna: The Wise One
There are many ways to describe Lord Krishna. Here the artist chooses to do it with his brush using leaves and flowers to create the lord's form on canvas.
Krishna: The Wise One
Portraying Lord Krishna's body in the form of a plantain leaf, a reed for a flute, the artist's rendition is surreal, yet brilliant.
"Ganapati Hegde is an artist whose work flirts through the realms of natural terrain with a strong affinity and admiration for flora and fauna. He creates fantastical territories comprising trees, flowers, living creatures and abstract thoughts. His works are not only expressive, but are images which act like a map of the inner workings and thoughts running though the artist’s mind," Gitanjali Maini.
This series is a veneration to Indian culture, mythology and tradition. It is the artist’s ode to Hindu mythology, gleaning scenes and instances from the epics and holy scriptures. Seen through his brushstrokes are the artist’s own rendition of Hindu Gods and Goddesses like Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna and Goddesses Saraswati.
Aspiration (2019-04) by Ekta SharmaSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Aspiration
The mind is often a whorl of emotions and desires; here the artist is reinterpreting aspirations through this work.
Her method is intricate and time consuming, her interpretation abstract. Sharma choses to use only one or two colours on each canvas.
Descending (2019-04) by Ekta SharmaSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Her works are often meditative and introspective in nature. This work, done on canvas, is metaphoric of tears flowing.
Sharma has created a fluidity to this work using 'sprinkling' and 'brushing' techniques. She says her work process is labour intensive and requires intense precision and concentration.
Sucheta carves each block of wood - sometimes it takes her months to complete one block. Sheets of paper or fabric are then pressed repeatedly on this carved block, each time applying colour to a different section of the mould.
Untraceable (2019-04) by Sucheta GhadgeSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Sucheta’s woodcut prints display the serene narrative of her inner thoughts. She recalls a childhood full of village memories. The dark colors of her native soil and the vast span of the river fill her mind with the sublimity of nature’s overpowering influence.
She visualises the deep silence of the soil and the pensive glow of water. Once woven into forms they translate into dark red and light blue smears of colour on each print.
The end result is a spectacular medley of colour, texture and artistic expression.
River Never Flows Alone (2019-04) by Sucheta GhadgeSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Different cultures and lifestyles have always interested her and she is especially impressed with tribal cultures and their daily lives. Sucheta believes that living is also an art, and does not see a difference between society, nature, artwork and herself.
Her forms with pointed triangles, thin lines and thick streams with their flow and disruption, give you a feeling that you looking through a piece of glass with soft reflections of abstract forms.
Ghadge's work was supported by the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation for a luxury hotel project done by gallery g. Sixteen of her works were used in the project.
Images of artwork: Copyright: gallery g
Content & Curation: Copyright: Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Disclaimer: Copyright of works showcased in this exhibit belong to the artist, gallery g and several private collections.
