Buddha Meets GaneshaAn Aesthetic Congregation of Two Global Icons |
 Blessed by Umapathy This much-anticipated exhibition salutes to two immensely dynamic genres (art depicting Ganesha and art depicting the Buddha) that possess an appeal that is massive and absolutely international, with an undeniable influence over the art market and the heritage sector, regardless of one’s religious or racial affiliation. Indeed, this rare aesthetic congregation commands an objective perspective from the inquisitive viewer. Buddha Meets Ganesha: An Aesthetic Congregation of Two Global Icons is the first art exhibition at the new gallery space of The Gallery of Gnani Arts (founded in 2003) at Tanglin Shopping Centre. The shopping centre is one of the oldest in Singapore and it is undoubtedly a haven for art and antique. Being inevitably encapsulated within the realm of popular images, we are certainly acquainted with the visual possibilities deriving from Ganesha, the popular Hindu god, and the Buddha, the ultimate epitome of divine/spiritual enlightenment. However, this contemporary art exhibition is neither about the re-contextualisation of traditional images nor is it about any controversial comparison between religious/mythological beliefs. Indeed, this first-of-its-kind exhibition, which was conceptualised two years ago by curator Vidhya Gnana Gouresan, is about the participating artists' creative yet sensitive treatment of the many perspectives in which the mighty concepts of the two global cultural icons can combine aesthetically on a philosophical, art historical or a purely visual basis. All of the seven participating artists are based in Singapore. J. Kalidass is an Art Educator with Singapore’s Ministry of Education. Upon being trained in the art of painting at LASALLE College of the Arts (Singapore), Kalidass completed his Bachelors in Contemporary Arts at the University of Tasmania (Australia). Having had participated in several group art exhibitions in Singa-pore, Kalidass’ first solo art exhibition was successfully presented in April 2010 at The Gallery of Gnani Arts. Recently, Kalidass effectively launched his artworks in Hong Kong, Korea and Australia. Singapore has been home to India-born Maheswari Arun for the past decade. Colours are indeed the principle catalyst for her creative inspira-tions, offering her a relentless and unlimited liberty to visualise her personal and professio-nal encounters on canvas. Maheshwari, a lawyer by profession, received her training in the arts at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. She presented a successful solo exhi-bition in Singapore in 2012, and some of her paintings form a part of private and corporate art collections in the United Kingdom, India and Singapore. Mumbai-born Sagarika Sen, a qualified accountant, has been intensively practising art since the past fourteen years. Having had participated in numerous group exhibitions in Singapore and Taiwan, her paintings were well-appreciated at the Affordable Art Fair (Singapore) in 2010 and 2011. Sagarika, for whom art is a form of meditation, has donated some of her paintings to selected schools and charitable organisations as a form of assistance in the raising of funds. Sangeeta Charan, who holds a Masters in Life Sciences, started to practise art even while pursuing a career as a Science teacher. Sangeeta, who is now dedicating all her time to painting, gains inspiration from the genres of Post Impressionism and Fauvism. Having had participated in numerous group exhibitions in Singapore (a country that has been her home for the past eighteen years), her paintings were well-received at the Affordable Art Fair (Singapore) in 2010 and 2011. Indian classical dance and ceramic sculptures are her other passion. Sarbani Bhattacharya is armed with a Bachelor in Visual Arts from the famed Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta). One of her paintings, under the theme of Mother and Child, was selected as ‘The Painting of 2005’ at the Gnani Arts Awards 2005 in Singapore. Having participated in several group art exhibitions in Singapore since eight years, Sarbani’s first solo art exhibition was successfully presented in July 2010 at The Gallery of Gnani Arts. In 2010, Sarbani’s paintings were well-received in Kuala Lumpur at the Art Expo Malaysia 2010. Her paintings can be found in private collections in selected countries in Europe and Southeast Asia. Siva Perakas, who has a keen interest in the realm of Digital Art, was trained in the discipline of Social Sciences in Australia and Singapore. Siva has been a dedicated Art Educator with Singapore’s Ministry of Education since fifteen years. Generally, themes associated with botany and sea-life excite Siva. Umapathy received intensive training in the arts from the Government College of Arts and Crafts in Kumbakonam (South India). His drawings and paintings were launched in Singapore in 2011 through a significant solo exhibition that was presented by The Gallery of Gnani Arts. Umapathy has successfully participated in notable group and solo exhibitions in India and Singapore. Also, the spirited artist displays a deep involvement in Tamil Literature. This interest led to the creation of his very own poems (in Tamil) which usually carry a social message. He has also written and produced a short film in Tamil that was based on Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of ahimsa (meaning ‘non-violence’, literally).
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