Some of the works on display | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Manish Chavda, originally from Jamnagar, has been living in Ahmedabad for the last six years. He says that he had dreamed of becoming an artist since the age of 14. Manish says, “As I grew up, my attraction towards art increased and I decided to make it my life.” Manish has won awards like 112th All India Annual Art Exhibition (Bombay Art Society in 2004), Gujarat State Lalitkala Academy Award and Shri Manekba Silver Medal Sheth CN Vidyalaya, Ahmedabad. Both these awards were received in 2002.
“When I was young, I never thought about how I would make a living from art. It was just art that I was passionate about. But, as I grew up, I realised that it was a struggle,” Manish, 46, said while speaking to Kinkini Art Gallery.
The artist, trained at the Ahmedabad Fine Arts College, says the struggle did not last long. “My work got recognised and I got enough platforms to showcase my art. Even while I was studying art, I was associated with an art gallery in Mumbai, which started exhibiting my artworks. In 2005, I had my first solo show at the Jehangir Art Gallery. This helped me move ahead and as soon as I completed art college, my career as an artist took off.”
Manish Chawla | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Manish says he has very few solo shows because he has to create so many artworks. “I try to have one or two solo shows every year, but most of the time, it is group shows.” At Kinkini Art Gallery, 17 of his works are on display. The oil on canvas artworks depict brightly coloured birds and ethereal landscapes. “The subtle colours create a sense of peace, spaciousness and tranquility, which transcend the boundaries of space and perception”.
This collection is entirely based on nature and birds. Though he specialized in portraits during his final years of art studies, Manish says, “I have done a lot of paintings which got me recognition. I painted reality, captured the moods and lives of people at traffic signals, life on the streets and other such things. However, this collection reflects nature and has a personal touch to it.”
Manish started working on this series after an incident. “I applied for postgraduate course in arts in a certain college and despite winning a few prizes, I was not selected. I tried for admission again and was rejected again. This led me into depression. I stopped painting completely. I did not hold a pencil for months. However, I spent a lot of time in gardens. Slowly I started concentrating on leaves, birds, squirrels.”
Manish felt his mind healed while looking at nature. “That’s when I decided to start painting nature because it’s my way of telling people not to isolate themselves from nature as it has the power to heal. And this collection of art is my tribute to nature.”
The artist also says that it is possible to earn a living through art. “Art is present in every human being. It’s just that some don’t get the opportunity to develop that talent. I want parents to encourage their children if they show even a little interest in art. I am grateful that my parents developed this talent in me, which helped me make my passion my profession.”
Manish Chawla’s works will be on display at Kyankini till June 14.
