300 artworks, workshops, movies: Hyderabad’s NEWS Art Fest creates captivating visual experience

Hyderabad: Art enthusiasts in Hyderabad are currently immersed in a captivating visual experience at the NEWS Art Fest 2024

A curated art festival, it commenced on February 17 and is set to conclude on March 7.

Curated by distinguished figures in the art world – Manvinder Dawer, Dr. Laxman Aelay, and Bolgum Nagesh Goud, the event promises to be an immersive celebration of the vibrant diversity of Indian contemporary art.

Curators Dr. Laxman Aelay and Bolgum Nagesh Goud, alongside Mumbai-based gallerist Manvinder Dawer, have orchestrated not just a visual display but a comprehensive art extravaganza. The festival includes interactive sessions, workshops with renowned artists, movie screenings, and an art camp that saw 12 artists engaging with art enthusiasts.

Renowned artists such as Anjolie Ela Menon, G Subramanian, Prabhakar Kolte, Gurcharan Singh, Shobha Broota, Vimmi Indra, and Asit Patnaik are enriching the celebration of contemporary Indian art at the fest.

The festival unfolds with over 300 artworks spanning various genres and styles, creating a rich tapestry of artistic expressions.

Manvinder Dawer one of the founders shared the festival's journey, stating, "We wanted to organize an art festival in Hyderabad for the last two years, and it is finally taking place. We began with an intent to feature artworks by at least 100 artists, and before we knew it, the number grew to 300."

At the entrance, visitors are welcomed by the vibrant 'Box City' installation, crafted by Hyderabad-born and Houston-based artist Rahul Mitra. This piece, referencing box-like urban homes, showcases Mitra's international influence in the art scene over several years.

Harsha Kancherla and Banda Suresh Kumar's curated collection promises a captivating journey through diverse artistic expressions, emphasizing the festival's commitment to showcasing a broad spectrum of contemporary art.

Notably, artists like Laxman Aelay turned their creative focus to musicians in Telangana. His artwork 'Euphonic Myths,' with sharp brush strokes and vibrant colors, took nearly a month to complete.

The festival's embrace extends beyond traditional paintings, incorporating sculptures and new media art installations. Vinod Daroz's 'Ode To Shlokas Ceramic,' inspired by South Indian temple sculptures, adds a historical touch with golden ceramic.

The festival also became a platform for artists to address social issues, exemplified by Dalit artist Madhukar Mucharla, who utilized leather to depict stories of his community. Mucharla emphasized, "Leather has been stigmatized as impure and associated with untouchability."

The exhibition, featuring paintings, sculptures, new media installations, drawings, and etchings, showcases works from various art movements, including early modern art, the Bombay progressive group, the Kolkata group, the Madras school, and Baroda narrative figurative groups. Artists like K Laxma Goud, Thota Vaikuntam, Ravinder Reddy, V Ramesh, Jogen Chowdhary, Suhas Roy, Chandra Bhattacharya, Rini Dhumal, and others contribute to the rich tapestry.

In the sculpture realm, visitors are treated to Ravinder Reddy's deity series, terracotta sculptures by Himmat Shah, stainless steel creations by Valey Shende and Arzan Khambatta, and Karl Antao's wooden sculptures.

The new media art section curated by Anand Gadapa and Nirmala Biluka introduces installations by emerging artists, using materials ranging from leather and charcoal to carton boxes to portray social themes. Rahul Mitra's 'Box City' serves as a metaphor for life in urban spaces, adding another layer of depth to the exhibition.

Art enthusiasts and aficionados, captivated by the diverse expressions, expressed admiration for the depth of the showcased artworks, turning the festival into a vibrant celebration of India's contemporary art scene.

“The NEWS Art Fest 2024 stands as a testament to the thriving and diverse contemporary art scene in India, bringing together artists, enthusiasts, and the public in a celebration of creativity and expression,” said Hrithvi Kurup, an art collector and aficionado.