Art and spaces that hold art have for long been synonymous with quietude, hushed whispers, and silent observation. Lalit Kala Akademi in Chennai on December 5, however, painted a contrasting picture. The recently-renovated gallery was bursting at the seams with over 60 artists, their 200-plus pieces of work, and enthusiastic patrons and well-wishers, at the opening of Spotlight on the South, a showcase of emerging and established artists from the Deccan. At this precursor show of the Madras Art Weekend scheduled between December 12 and 15, Chennai’s small yet significant art community showed up in numbers. 

PS Raman, Advocate-General of Tamil Nadu and chief guest at the event said, “Chennai has been the cultural capital of India especially for the performing arts. With initiatives like this, the scope for art is going to be higher.” Dharanidharan Selvam, national spokespersom, DMK was also part of the inauguration. 

A view of the exhibition

With the aim of showcasing artists whose talent would benefit from greater representation, the show features a diverse range of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, installations, photography and more. On one wall, in what seems like the quintessential image of Chennai by Ashwin J Chandran, against the majestic High Court held up in scaffoldings, is a cycle rickshaw in motion. In another nuanced canvas by Rohini Mani is a woman mimicking the form of a  lotus, wearing a countenance so pensive that it starkly contrasts the soothing, deep pink of her sari. Yet another imposing stone sculpture by Ezhilarasan Ezhumale is a grey structure, in the crevices of which are stacked books. Narayan Lakshman’s canvases invoke a tranquil depth, broken only by a stray boat, a meagre dot in large swathes of blue and white.   

A view of the exhibition

Upasana Asrani, curator of the show says, “Our goal has always been to provide a platform for artists who deserve recognition but lack the means to shine. Artists from the South deserve representation and some of those displaying here have never been represented by a gallery before.”

Madras Art Weekend in association with The Hindu Made of Chennai has organised Spotlight on the South. The show is on view till December 10 from 11am to 7pm at Lalit Kala Akademi, Egmore, Chennai.