Avani Rao Gandra’s abstract paintings reflect on the things we lost and gained during the pandemic

Mumbai’s Jehangir Artwork Gallery hosts a brand new present ‘Bit by Bit’ that includes Hyderabad-based Avani Rao Gandra’s 29 summary work, from April 25 to Might 1.

New perspective

Avani Rao Gandra
| Picture Credit score: particular association

The works provide a dimension of the pure world representing emotional resilience and the desire to choose up threads amid the disappointment of the pandemic years. Her expressions ponder on the little issues we misplaced and gained within the unprecedented years. A mighty elephant swimming in water within the work ‘The Mighty Disperse’ or a tiger studying to guard and survive when caught in a hearth in ‘Hearth in The Forest’ metaphorically take care of our lives when COVID-19 threw us out of substances. “All of us have been thrown into the water, we dispersed however discovered to swim,” explains Avani. The tiger on this forest fireplace is a reminder of the arduous instances when folks, particularly ‘ladies, needed to push themselves and present lots of grit and braveness like a hearth ablaze’

By Avani Rao Gandra
| Picture Credit score: particular association

Throughout two years of the pandemic, Avani went by means of a whirlwind of feelings – from being confined to her residence and studio and watching the bodily and emotional toll on households to the influence of COVID-19 on biodiversity and Nature. The 52-year-old artist was additionally life from a distinct perspective and initially created digital work in 2020 on completely different aspects of COVID-19. “There was a lot turmoil and an entire shift from common life,” she remembers. The isolation and freedom over the subsequent few months helped her reply to the scenario.

the way it began

By Avani Rao Gandra
| Picture Credit score: particular association

The sequence started three years in the past as a marketing campaign on environmental consciousness. The concentrate on safeguarding the atmosphere, particularly amongst kids, impressed her to color landscapes. The work already started obtained a brand new lease of life when animals, birds and crops obtained added to the panorama. The title ‘Bit by Bit’ was an natural and symbolic one which additionally depicted the aspect of the pandemic when landscapes opened up and folks slowed down, started to understand Nature and sunsets and have been spending extra time with household. “Many individuals stated COVID-19 has taught them many classes. The slowdown helped us to turn into acutely aware of each bit and discovered to worth small issues; We misplaced one thing little by little however we gained many issues.”

Comprising 15 medium (3 x 4 ft) work, 10 small works ( 2 x 2 and a couple of x21/2 ft) and 4 giant (7.5 X 6 ft) codecs with poetry, the 29 displays have been completed over two years.

By Avani Rao Gandra
| Picture Credit score: particular association

Avani‘s working model is exclusive in that she leaves her works open-ended; typically a canvas stays on her wall for 3 years and will get accomplished in two days. At present, she has 15 massive works in numerous levels at her studio within the again a part of her home. “In contrast to a figurative, I benefit from the freedom in summary artwork; that permits me to use my present state on even a half-done portray,” she factors out.

Having exhibited her pictures earlier at Jehangir, Avani appears to be like ahead to interpretations of her works on the gallery. “Essentially the most lovely a part of exhibiting at Jehangir is the completely different views. One will get to hearken to the conversations of not simply critical artwork lovers however even vacationers, college students, workplace goers and homemakers who give their very own interpretations of the works.”

Avani additionally brings this present to the Iconart gallery in Hyderabad from Might 15 to June 5., to mark its reopening because it closed throughout COVID-19 lockdowns.