Abstract Paintings by Krishna Pulkundwar: September 2010

12''x12'', Untitled, Acrylic on canvas

Delving Within

JAMAAT is proud to present the second solo show with us, of Krishna Pulkundwar's paintings.

We had presented Krishna's first solo in November 2007. His vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, bubbled with the exuberance of his mood. 3 years later, now in 2010, Krishna has grown as a person, as an artist. He is thinking more deeply, he has matured to a new sensibility. Still inspired by the natural surroundings of his childhood, he remembers bunking school and going with his buddies to the river side, climbing the trees and looking down at the vistas of the fields and the rivers.

The various shades of green, merging with the greys of the clouds, and blues of the waters. The play of sunlight and shadows on the water and within. A peaceful time, a time to introspect. This has given Krishna a different palette. Veering to the blues of the water, interspersed with the sophisticated complexities of grey, the dashing freshness of greens and the earthiness of yellows. The city of Mumbai that he has moved to, also still influences Krishna. The windows and doors that we all look through, frame his works, the geometrics are evidence of them. They give us a perspective to looking deep and delving within.

Krishna enjoys his time, teaching at J.J. Institute of Applied Art. He is inspired by the interaction with his students, enjoys the constant energy they bring and is charged by their freshness. No wonder he is such a popular teacher. However, his passion is his painting. Every day, no matter what the hour, Krishna sits focusedly painting, sketching, in a quest for self progress. Frame and form come constantly to mind: and he ponders, judges, evaluates. Like a musician does "Riyaaz" every day, Krishna must paint every day, listening to the strains of classical Indian music. Painting for him, is "Swanand", his self pleasure. If the viewer also derives pleasure from the work, then a

further goal is achieved.

Krishna's fascination for the dense colour of black is very interesting, juxtaposed with the counterpart of white. Combined with the contrasts of light and shadow, giving endless nuances of grey. Working with acrylics, inks, pastels on canvas, the current suite of paintings are abstracts pared down, minimised for maximum impact. The most simple, as we all know, is the most difficult. They come from a constant journey of delving within, a search for realisation with no real figure or destination. Just journey on, to get better, get more pleasure, and get more "Swanand".

Pravina Mecklai