Send Comments to the Editors

U.S. Mail:
The Rice Thresher
6100 Main Street (MS-524)
Houston, TX 77005-1892

The Indian art exhibit, entitled "Epic Reality," consists of about 30 paintings all situated in the downstairs section of the museum.

The effect is like downtown Bombay -- directly next to the gift shop, the exhibit seems a little noisy, distracted and crowded; it would have been much easier to appreciate each individual artist had the paintings been more spread out.

The paintings themselves, however, are beautiful. They include media as diverse as watercolor, thick acrylics and oils, spray paints and charcoals. Each painting reflects the rich and ancient heritage which is India's, often lost and misunderstood in the modern world.

Though all paintings displayed clear references to Indian culture, they were not united by one visual style. In fact, the paintings ranged from the ultra-realist works of Bhattacharjee to the neo-primitive drawings of Rodwittiga.

Although the works are visually different, almost all used a variety of high culture and pop culture icons. Some of the more abstract paintings attempt to convey sociopolitical meanings through bright, wheeling colors and bold symbolism.

One particular painting by Dave from the early nineties captures the fall of communism, showing a Tiger-god Gorbachev mauling Stalin.

On the opposite wall, Dave's "Pop Goddess," a neon pink Madonna with the many arms of Vishnu embraces western pop culture. While Dave's paintings are dazzling, they occasionally seem too obvious.

Atul Dodiya's works also incorporate American pop culture, but integrate it into a subtle commentary on India's changing society.

In "Bombay Buccaneer," we are greeted by a Miami Vice poster boy clutching a gun threateningly.

Besides the gun, he is surrounded by American symbols of power including a Rolex watch and a Polo pony embroidered on his shirt (the Polo pony could also be representative of English colonialism).

His darkly tinted sunglasses reflect two men -- one a Larry King look alike and the other, a thin, Indian grandfather figure. The painting juxtaposes modern American culture with ancient India, while keeping a stylized realistic aesthetic.

Some of the most haunting and breathtaking images in the gallery, however, were those created by Bhattchargee. His meticulous attention to detail, striking lighting and hyperrealism gently portrays ordinary scenes of Indian life, with undercurrents of tension and drama.

His oil painting entitled "Child Bride" places a seven year old next to an elderly tired man. The opulence of her dress contrasts the street clothing and grime of the old man.

The exhibit runs until Nov. 16, and we recommend that you see it.

This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the October 10, 1997 issue.