With the knack of bringing forms to life, where each stroke reveals a new dimension of her artistic expression, Nupur Kundu showcased Hues & Scapes, a collection of new creations in a large grid format, like a Matrix of Hues. The preview scheduled for April 25, 2024 at Dhoomimal Art Gallery, promised to immerse art enthusiasts in a world of colour, texture, and imagination.

The artist’s fondness to use oil pigments, allows her the freedom to explore thick textured applications, creating layers of depth and complexity on the canvas. On Display May 24, 2024, Hues & Scapes provided an opportunity to the guests to closely follow the journey of discovery, as they explored the indescribable beauty of Kundu’s artistic endeavours.

Being a colourist for all her life and mastering Impasto technique, the solo exhibition displayed Kundu’s artist flair of creating mysterious forms on canvas surfaces. She visioned to embody the ineffable in her work by allowing colours to flow, move, and dialogue with each other, believing that colours carry no thematic burden and were themselves, primarily known as ‘Colours capes’, sharing their purity and intensity.

Eminent guests including Padma Shri Sunita Kohli, Sushma Bahl art advisor, writer and curator; formerly, Head, Arts & Culture, British Council India, Promila Bahri Art curator, Director Vinod Bhardwaj, Padmashri Dr Shovana Narayan, Dr. Herbert Traxl, Social Activist Leher Sethi, Designer Leena Singh, Mr. K L Ganju, Prince Singhal founders at CADD, Priya Singhal, Artist Manoj Arora, Hamid Ahmed CEO of Hamdard, Amna Ahmed, Author Ritu Soni Bhagat, Mamta Nath MD & founder of The Lexicon Art Gallery, Dancer Sharon Lowen graced the event with their presence.

Mr Uday Jain, Curator & Director, Dhoomimal Art Gallery expressed, “Over the past three decades, Nupur has been a dedicated and unwavering artist, renowned for her breathtaking abstract expressions, where her pieces are cherished all over, revealing her enduring talent and universal appeal.”

Eminent personalities including Sushma K. Bahl, Jyoti A Kathpalia, Rahul Kumar, Uma Nair, Suneet Chopra, to name a few, provided their critical insights on the artist’s work.

In words of Sushma K. Bahl: “Kundu’s art-scape features a vibrant palette of chromatic hues, showcasing her multifaceted persona making her work impactful that transcends time and space, resonating across generations and geographical boundaries.”

Nupur Kundu shared her thoughts on the exhibition, saying, “With Hues & Scapes, I vision to transport viewers to the landscapes that inspire me and evoke a sense of wonder and beauty. Each collection narrates a tale, inviting viewers to explore the world through my eyes.”

The artist magic of Nupur Kundu was unfolded at Dhoomimal Art Gallery that went beyond description.

A Sneak Peak at the Exhibition

In the words of the artist: “The representation of Earth becomes a metaphorical language, conveying my perception of Earth’s beauty, fragility, and resilience.” Earth is a vast canvas for inspiration, offering a rich palette of colors, textures, and shapes. Enjoy EARTH SCAPE SERIES, where the artist uses earthy tones and round canvases to create a globe-like feel. The non-representational elements like color, texture, and form help express a visceral response and connect with the earth intuitively. 

In the RED SCAPE SERIES, Kundu uses red as a symbol of passion, life, and femininity. Her creation is a visual symphony that evokes a sense of vitality and warmth. The vibrant hues, ranging from deep crimson to fiery scarlet, dance across the canvas, symbolizing the raw and unrestrained nature of passion. The series celebrates the powerful and visceral emotions that red embodies, capturing the essence of passion and fervour in the artist’s work.

The artist has experimented with mixed media in MOSAIC SCAPE SERIES by combining abstract oil paintings with intricate ceramic mosaic tiles. The seamless merging of soft oil pigment and mosaic craftsmanship and the rich interplay of colors and patterns in their scapes is a harmonious composition. The use of ceramic mosaic is not just an ornamental frame but an essential, continuous, and integral part of their oil paints. The meticulous cutting and arrangement of fragments form a harmonious whole, a meditative exercise.

These were just a few collections, where the guests indulged in the hues and scapes of this mesmerising exhibit.