Watercolour postcard paintings by 32 Indian artists on show at Prussian Blue Art Hub in Kochi

The postcard paintings on show at Prussian Blue Art Hub
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Over 500 postcard-size watercolour paintings enliven the gallery space at Prussian Blue Art Hub. The exhibition that features the works of 32 artists from across India is part of the gallery’s 15th  anniversary celebrations.

Each artist has painted a series of postcards that have been displayed together as one large work. “There is beauty in miniature paintings and each work on display is testimony to that. The works are also extremely detailed,” says the curator Suresh TR, who is an artist, art instructor and founder of Prussian Blue Art Hub. The show includes the works of emerging artists and the experienced ones.

A work by Jyotsna Dwivedi
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The most popular theme seems to be Nature. Jazeela Sherif’s canvases are a realistic portrayal of the countryside, Nature and city streets. While Bengaluru-based artist Anjali Doney paints little shops that dot quaint Indian villages — a toddy shop “somewhere in Kerala”, a fruit shop in Kozhikode and the Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry. Another of her canvases features an old-world coffee house in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh and her favourite tea shop at Domlur, Bengaluru.

Painting by Ashima Bhan
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Kochi-based designer Ashima Bhan, founder of Aaraam Se, which specialises in clothing for people with special needs, has displayed her paintings — of the male figure — on a chocolate brown canvas. Ashima says she took to painting during the Covid-19 years. The form has been outlined in black and the artist in her particularly wanted to explore the use of the colour brown, she says.

For Sipin CG, inspiration comes from architectural structures. His frames are filled with clock towers and tops of buildings, including the Eiffel tower.  Sonam Sikarwar uses red, white and black colours to create a stunning collage.

Sonam Sikarwar’s paintings
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

It is foliage that moves Rahul R, Aarush Ali and Induja Shanmugharaj, who have painted greenery in different forms — potted plants, trees, ferns, and the weeds that grow in the wild.

A work by Thomas Abraham
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

In the spirit of the holiday season, some paintings bring back the era of the greeting card. For instance, Anilkumar’s postcards could well work as the season’s greetings, filled with cartoon characters and other Christmassy motifs.

Saji Ennakkad paints life on the seashore while Latha Devi NB’s work is a collage of bright blue canvases. The seemingly abstract work creates a powerful visual impact. Thomas Abraham’s works create a similar effect — a mosaic of bright hues. He uses coffee with ink, which gives the paintings a uniquely translucent quality. Smitha Ampu’s canvases are filled with verses.

Sipin CG
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The paintings, though small in scale, have a meditative quality to them, says Suresh. Prussian Blue Art Hub has a studio attached to it, which Suresh’sstudents use for working on their paintings. An art teacher for over 15 years, Suresh has been instrumental in shaping many an art enthusiast’s journey in art. Ever since he took to training students, Suresh has not found much time for exhibiting his own works, “but it is a rewarding experience to guide someone through his or her artistic journey,” he says. “I would like to call myself a facilitator. And that is why I created a studio space, where people can come and work, undisturbed.”

The other artists who are showing their works include Aditi Shukla, Susan Thomas, Shine Thomas, Anilkumar K, Aditi Arele, Minu Ittyipe, Ganga Suresh, Ligimol K, Susan Mathew, Jyotsna Dwivedi, KP Lakshmi Ahuja, Lakshmi Balakrishnan, Shalini B Menon, Bhavashankari S, Soniya Kundra Singh, Vandana Raghavan, Thasheena Doyil Joy, Bavyashree, and Aiswarya L.

The paintings are on sale. The show will conclude on December 26.