Canvases in retrospect

Colours should create a good feeling as they are symbols of expression, says artist VB Hiregoudar from Davangere who is holding Nadavarna, an exhibition of paintings at Chitrakala Parishat from May 25. "For instance, red symbolises anger, power and other passionate emotions. But I try to create a joyous, positive mood," he says.
Hiregoudar works at the University of Fine Arts Davangere.His romance with the canvas began when he was in the second grade. It grew to become a serious passion in 1963 and in ''67 Hiregoudar decided to become a professional.
Till date, he has participated in 15 exhibitions at the state level and three at thenational level. "My work has been exhibited in England, Nigeria and Australia as well," says Hiregoudar.
There are some who need to work on preconceived ideas, but Hiregoudar is inspired by his surroundings, incidents or anything beautiful. "I believe in spontaneity because it is a dialogue between the canvas and the mind. Whereas preconceived ideas are more static."
Hiregoudar says initially he just had to fulfil this urge to paint. But over the years, he also realised he had to pay attention to content and quality as well. "It was when I started teaching that I became serious about my work," says Hiregoudar.
Having witnessed the art scene change over the years, Hiregoudar says, in the sixties art had a lot of western influence and it concentrated on realism. But in recent years, it has become very individualistic and every individual style is an `ism''.
He adds that artists take more liberties in matters of technique, colour, medium and concept these days. "An artist today is more independant because of the exposure. He is self-reliant and has become more conscious of his surroundings. The creations are more individualistic in concept and more abstract in expression."
Hiregoudar''s exhibition at Chitrakala Parishat is a retrospective covering his work over various time spans and clearly depict the evolution of the artist.