Contemporary Artist: Tushar Waghela

Tushar Waghela has been one of the most promising artists of contemporary Indian art. Born in the Durg district of what was then part of Madhya Pradesh, now the state of Chhattisgarh in India, Waghela learned to incorporate his Indian heritage from his early years in Durg into his art. He went on to study at Seth Ratanchand Surana College in Durg, where he received a Bachelor in Commerce and later, a Master of Arts in Philosophy at Pt. Ravishankar University in Raipur. Attempting to break free from “lingual limitations,” Waghela developed his art work into an impressive collection.

Asked to talk about his inspirations, motivations and influences, Tushar Waghela brings enlightenment and new perspective to his art:  Human beings have always been mythmakers. Mythology was designed to help us to cope with the problematic human predicament. It helped people to find their place in the world and their true orientation. We all want to know where we came from, but because our earliest beginnings are lost in the mists of prehistory; we have created myths about our forefathers that are not historical but help to create attitudes about our environment, neighbors and customs.

The themes and storylines of my creations come from the facts and philosophies of life which comes from these myths and truths. They have a relation with the spirits of Indian Heritage, art and culture. It is an anecdotic series; each one epitomizing its own tale. All the compositions have an indeterminate and anonymous destination to conquer, every story touches its goal but ends up with a question mark for you to think over the contemplation that it has placed before you.

The contents are not stationary; they are not at rest, instead they are in a state of reallocation; trying to speak out something. Looking at these you are compelled to peep inside the windows that are kept deliberately open.  It is an invitation to participate in the triumph going on and calls you to be a part of the happenings inside. At the climax you will be so impatient to raise the curtains of the mysterious play and procure the entire incarnation at once.

The paintings are a blend of the changing times and trends of the day as well as the ancient philosophical thoughts of the past. It has paved the path between the past, present and future. The color scheme comprises of soft and earthy colors that are close to the natural world. It is an impregnation of fervent and subdued shades that reveals a posture of warmth and holiness. It provides distinctiveness to my speculations and the form of art I want to portray.

The texture of these works of art is intensely obscure which induces the onlooker to magnetize to the premise of the creation and get engrossed into the traveled journey. It has a tendency to generate curiosity in the mind of the beholder, and it crafts an ambiance of the insinuation expressed through it. I have endeavored to depict a surrealistic effect to the paintings and take you to the actual scenario of the anecdote in the symphony of the string.

The man of my paintings is the hero which is born out of the myth. He fights monsters, climbs inaccessible mountains, traverses dark forests and in the process dies to his
old self. He gains a new insight or skill, which he brings back to his people.  Hunting was an exclusively male activity and yet one of the most powerful figures in the Paleolithic era was a female. I have tried to express this female in my paintings. The earliest of the small figurines depicting a pregnant woman, which have been found throughout Africa, Europe and the Middle East, date from this period. The female of my painting is a nurturing mother, however, she is implacable, demanding and vengeful, becoming an awe inspiring icon of life itself – a life that required the ceaseless sacrifice of men and animals.

The Mammoth stands tall in my work since I always found this creature a representation
of geological time scale. Not only this, it also represents the maturation of humanity, becoming not only stronger but also clever. The early civilizations play an important role in my work, though they uncleanly wipe out every single prospect of discovery of humans of two million years ago when they first started walking.  As Waghela says himself, “My works are nothing other than visual representations of the growth of human self consciousness along with civilization, where every figure plays an equally important role.”  Waghela has had an enormous expanse of solo and group exhibitions. In 2005, his work appeared at the Galerie Cupillard in Grenoble , France, in 2002 at the Jehangir Art Gallery , Mumbai, in 1999 Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai and in 1997 at the Mahakaushal Art Gallery, Raipur. His group shows have been even more extensive:

Waghela’s work, as well as work by other contemporary Indian artists, can be found at Visions Art Gallery.  They offer contemporary and modern Indian Contemporary Art.. The gallery’s operations areconcentrated in a multitude of areas which focuses on modernist masterworks made by artists such as M. F Husain, Akbar Padamsee, Manu
Parekh and S.H Raza. In the contemporary program, the gallery represents Manish Pushkale, S. Harshavardhan and selected upcoming artists like Sohan Jakhar, Parag
Natekar and others.

Covering a wide selection of art with an emphasis on works on paper – unique paintings and prints, limited edition prints – the gallery aims at satisfying both the casual art buyer as well as the established collector. Visions Art Gallery was established in 2004 as an online art gallery, and in 2005 opened with an exhibition space in Mumbai. From the outset, the goal has been to exhibit and promote art of the highest international caliber.
This high standard of commitment continues to be the salient feature of Visions Art today. It is considered one of the most prestigious contemporary art galleries in India and has been working in collaboration with leading critics, curators and artists to present outstanding works from both younger and established artists in a variety of media.