Like-minded people unite for community art’s sake

Mangaluru: Inspired by the thriving community art scene across India, ‘Made By Mangalore’ is working towards developing a vibrant art community in the city. The inaugural meeting was held on July 16 and since then, this dedicated group has consistently been meeting on every Sunday at Kadri Park. The 10th session will be held on Sunday. The curators of ‘Made By Mangalore’ who would like to remain anonymous, told STOI that this space is open to all, regardless of their artistic background. They said that the reason for maintaining anonymity is to foster a judgement-free environment where people can freely express themselves through art. In this unique setting, there are no formal registrations, rules, or regulations to adhere to. Participants simply bring their sketchbooks, tablets, canvases, and colours and spend two hours, starting from 10 am, engaged in drawing, painting, or sketching. The response from the community has been incredibly positive, exceeding all expectations, they said. “These regular meetings provide a platform for artistic expression and serve as a testament to the power of art in bringing people together. The group’s journey, undoubtedly filled with shared creativity and collaboration, promises to leave a lasting mark on the city, inspiring creativity, unity, and community engagement,” said a core member. In a city catering to various interests, there was a noticeable void – a gathering place for those who share a passion for painting. What’s striking is that this community has drawn participants from diverse professional backgrounds, including engineers, all united by their love for the art of painting. Interestingly, many have discovered that these creative sessions serve as a therapeutic outlet, effectively alleviating stress. Even individuals who had never before dipped their brushes in paint are now revelling in the joy of artistic expression. What sets this community apart is its emphasis on individual freedom; there is no obligation to meet and interact with everyone, the members said.

Expressing climate distress through art exhibitions

The art exhibition "Bhoomi" by Kalyani Pramod explores the effects of climate change on oceans, forests, and mountains. The exhibits, made from discarded materials, depict the impact of climate change through vibrant to bleached and bare representations. Visitors engage with the exhibition by adding layers of cloth to a woven artwork. Another exhibition, "Bhin Bhini: Changing Climate, Uncertain Livelihoods," focuses on the impact of climate change on crop pests and includes data and information on climate change. The exhibition also showcases works by local artists and draws from the archives of the Peoples Archive of Rural India.

'Indiana Jones of art world' recovers stolen Vincent Van Gogh painting

A stolen Vincent van Gogh painting, the 1884 "Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring," has been recovered by a Dutch art detective, Arthur Brand. The painting was stolen during a midnight heist three-and-a-half years ago. After persistent efforts by Brand and the Dutch police, a man handed over the painting to Brand in an IKEA bag, wrapped in bubble-wrap and concealed in a pillow casing. The identity of the man has not been revealed.

Govt priority is to prove community is backward: CM

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has stated that the state government's priority is to prove the social and educational backwardness of the Maratha community in order to secure reservation for them. Shinde emphasized that the government wants to provide reservation to the community within the legal framework and not through temporary measures. He also appealed to Maratha community activist Manoj Jarange, who is on a hunger strike, to give the government more time to address their demands. Shinde urged the opposition not to politicize the issue and to support the government in maintaining law and order.