New Delhi: An exhibition of paintings by Poet-diplomat Abhay K. titled ‘Shunyata’ opened at Alliance Francaise, here today. The exhibition is open to the public from September 4 to 10, 2024.
The exhibition explores the Buddhist philosophy of Shunyata or Emptiness in which understanding emptiness becomes vital for liberation from suffering and samsara—the cycle of birth and death.
Speaking about the exhibition Abhay K. said—“When I stared at the empty canvas, I had no clue what I was going to paint. I started by making a circle and filling it with paint and it started taking a form. Each time a new form took shape on the canvas I felt mesmerised. I started enjoying the process.”
He further added —“These paintings are visualizations of emptiness. Forms are visible when one looks at them closely but as one moves away from them, forms disappear and what remains is emptiness, a true validation of the crux of the Heart Sutra -‘form is emptiness, emptiness is form.’ The forms that appear are mere approximations of figures familiar and unfamiliar, gods and goddesses, mortals and immortals, plants and animals. They are all transient. They appear and then vanish. Emptiness remains.”
Those present on the occasion included Kenneth Norbega, Ambassador of Brazil, Sang Lim, Charge de Affairs of South Korea, artists, writers, filmmakers, art critics, and curators along with diplomats from several countries.
Commenting on the exhibition, veteran sculptor Gopal Namjoshi said —“Truly magnificent exhibition, everything is born out of emptiness and returns to emptiness. The process of life is an introduction to emptiness and the universe.”
Cuban diplomat Livia Rodriguez said -“Abhay K’s paintings are impactful and beautiful.”
Speaking on the occasion Professor Biman Das, a well-known artist and Padma Shree awardee, said —“This is a wonderful solo painting exhibition by Abhay K. All the exhibits are full of creativity and aesthetical essences.”
Shah Faesal, a civil servant, said that —“This exhibition has been like walking into a meditation. Abhay K. has done such a marvellous job with these paintings. A profound depiction of this important concept of Shunyata that was nothing short of a eureka moment when Buddha discovered it and when Brahmagupta taught it to the world.”
Olena Ilchuk, a diplomat from Ukraine said- “Outstanding exhibition. Absolutely beautiful and heart-touching interpretation of the eternal concept.”
Kenneth Norbega, Ambassador of Brazil said that Abhay K.’s artworks are “Thought provoking.”
Abhay K.’s artistic journey began in 2005 in Moscow, Russia. Since then he has exhibited his artworks in Paris, St. Petersburg, New Delhi, Brasilia and Antananarivo, some of which are in private collections across the world.
– global bihari bureau
