Galeria Cidade Cidade de Goa Dona Paula
Inauguration at 6.30 p.m. on 18th January
Open to public from 19th to 29th January 12 noon to 8 p.m.
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SENSUAL FABRIC Press Release Statement
In order to process the idea and notion of "sensual" what do we require? The dictionary provides thus as a definition:
Merriam - Webster Dictionary definition:
Main Entry: sen-su-al :
1 : relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite
As an artist I pursue an underlying quest to encapsulate the legitimacy of such definition as it pertains to art since the creative expression of such a concept is quite foreign to me. In fact the "analytical" definition of such a concept escapes me even further, in order to legitimately define it I must use all 5 of my senses in the creation of my artwork.
The art itself like a series of moments or experiences that we go through in life are the canvases of these experiences collaged together in static frames of encapsulated views. The sensuality is derived from the emotional and physical sensations of these views while the "fabric" is the endearing stability of the garment or the "cloth" that stands the test of time. A combination of the two is like applying a coat of emotional paint on top of the rigidity of textured fabric. When the paint is stripped away the fabric remains and the fabric breathes through the everlasting emotional paint.
In this way the art becomes "surrealistic realism". A drowning expanse of our heightened senses combined with the static representation of the physical luxuries of fabric that we clothe our naked bodies. Hence, the ponderous question that many have asked, why the nude depiction of female form next to texture? In the expression of my artistic avenue this is the output of lavish ornamentation that is born from my own five senses.
I hope you enjoy the journey and the spirit in which these works of art are created. They were not created in one afternoon or a few hours, but rather a (brief) lifetime thus far of experiences have contributed to the creation of these works. My journey has only begun so the evolution of my art in years to come is still in infancy, so please do take a look further into the drawings and see if you find a reflection somewhere in these works from your own consciousness that may resemble my own.
Harish Rao Artist.
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Harish Rao Artist Statement
Harish Rao graduated with honors from California Polytechnic Univeristy Pomona in the United States of America with a bachelor's degree in Fine Art with an emphasis on Art History. The grandson of the late Daynand Bandodkar, Goa's first Chief Minister, he was born and raised in the United States of America and has been coming to India on a yearly basis since childhood.
Mr. Rao has spent the past eight years working with 20th Century Fox filmed Entertainment and Vivendi Universal Games creating interactive content and video games on such popular television and movie franchises as THE SIMPSONS, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, THE X-FILES, and ALIENS vs. PREDATOR.
Currently Mr. Rao is focusing on his two passions, his art career and his film career. He is currently a professor of Art History in Los Angeles California, and his artwork is best described as feminine sensuality as fabric. Influenced by the work of Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt along with Ancient Indian Architecture and handspun silk sarees, Mr. Rao's "sensual fabrics" are generated from his sensations of various cultural experiences from his world travel exploits as well as the experiences he derives living in America and India. His first solo exhibition entitled "Confusion" inaugurated by Sergio Mascarenas of the Fundacao Orient was exhibited in January 2004 at the Kerkar Art Complex.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, he is currently working on numerous independent film projects that are thematically based on Indian subject matter and intended for a global audience.
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