Khongool (Journey from Manipur to New Delhi)01 Feb – 09 Feb 2019
In the mystic lands of Manipur, the natural as well as cultural hidden treasure troves are awaiting to be explored and unearthed. From the vast green carpets of the Dzukou Valley to the serene waters of Loktak lake, Manipur’s natural scenery appeals and enthrals it’s beholders. It is this beauty that our artists Sony and Meena have tried to capture through their creative endeavours.
Khongool depicts a journey from Manipur to Delhi, our artists’ diaspora from their native lands to the metropolitan. Moving across they have clutched in their hearts a part of their home which was filled with the enigmatic aroma of their dwellings. When Meena came to Delhi, she was constantly rummaging for a space that could bring about a sense of belonging and solace. It was the captivating abode of art where she found her equanimity filled with infinite possibilities. Thus, her work is a nostalgic memoir of her childhood, a phase she wished could engulf her in its omnipresence. She carefully encapsulates the beauty of solidarity and secularism among the distinctive tribes of Manipur through her oracular colour palette. The coyness in her figures is an articulation of her appreciation to detail and a personal association with impeccability.
Likewise, Sony’s work is an intimate expression, a voice he has long sought to assimilate the human nature of creating unfathomable frontiers of discrimination. Emboldened by the contemporary fashion illustrations, his paintings depict a personal voyage of indifference he has encountered over the years. It was his canvas that liberated him by providing a space to transverse the inner inkling of his soul. His conscious preference to feature female figures frequently comes from his empathy towards them, which he recognized early in life. He found voice in the opulence of visual art which enabled him in developing a language of his own and a space he felt free to express.
The exhibition thus aspires to unravel these reticent marvels from Manipur. It is a reflection of a Phanek which binds the whole state together and yet provides tranquillity within its discrete patterns typical to each tribe.
Curated by Neha Kasana
Thokchom Sony
(born in Imphal, Manipur, 26th March 1990)
I have lived in Delhi for the last 11 years, where my career and art style has continued to grow. This is where I have regained a sense of self-assurance. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Jamia Millia Islamia Institute in New Delhi, I did a Postgraduate diploma in Visual Effects and Animation from the Anwar Jamal Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre. Currently, I am teaching Art and Pre-productions as a contractual professor in AJKMCRC at Jamia and also working on my personal painting projects.
Ethnicity, cultural diversity and Mother Nature inspire me. I spend a lot of time observing details and appreciating peculiar beauty in the smallest of things. I believe in equality and freedom of expression. I strongly feel that art in any form is a channel to express our feelings and release our energies in a positive way. The philosophy behind my work is about finding deep meaning in looking for beauty in diversity and gaining a sense of freedom to express my findings.
Delhi has inspired me with its colorful vibes, multiple cultures and people of different ethnicities living here. This place has taught me many life lessons also. My artistic style is linear and figurative, done in a contemporary fashion illustrative style while adhering to traditional elements which I explore using water colour on paper and digital paintings. I want my art to help people see and appreciate the beauty in the smallest of things. I hope my work makes them more open to explore the differences in cultures and diversity around them. I take each day as a learning experience and love to explore the world which widens my learning about new cultures but still keeps me connected to my roots.
Laishram Meena Devi
(born in Manipur, 2nd march 1989)
Art, as I see it, is my journey into time through which I present my cultural identity. By using different colours and variety of techniques, I express my identity rooted in Manipur on canvas the way I have witnessed it in my everyday interactions. The natural routine process of living among similar believers, cultural-practitioners and nature has always stirred me, where nature and life become inseparable. I have extensively engaged in the socio-cultural discourse of my people, where history too plays a vital role.
The merging of our lives in the lines of language, practice and thoughts has left my characters emotionless and they have adapted a calm exterior through their ‘blank expressions’. Most of my works utilizes the expressive quality of portraiture, which not only provide my characters with a unique aesthetics but also aids in the unfolding of their story. Their clothing, innocence, connection to nature, and their ongoing interactions with the viewers has made my art relatable for those who belong to the tribes of Kabui, Tangkhul and Meitei.
In this process of recognition, I find myself redeemed in art. A constant negotiation between traditional cultures and the contemporary global life takes shape within my artwork, where my contributions as an artist becomes pertinent to the framing of history, and to the study of ethnography. Symbolic representation of my cultural discourse has made me a conscious artist towards my community in the North-Eastern India; a part which remains unrecognized and not empowered.
I attempt to capture the physical and emotional agony of my childhood, where purity was the sole criteria for emotive responses. I depict life as I see it and on the other hand, I depict my soul that is constantly changing. Finally, my art is a study and a meditation addressing the question of culture, life and narratives. It is in this moment of repose that I find my best expression in the unsurpassed conversations.
