Unveiling Desire: Varad Bang’s Stunning Linen Portraits Illuminate the Beauty of Longing – Lifestyle News

Varad Bang was studying architecture in Ahmedabad when his life took a turn. The young artist from Aurangabad (now known as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar) left his studies just a year before graduation to follow his passion for art. Today, he is making waves in the contemporary art scene, particularly with his debut solo exhibition, The Weight of Love, at Gallery Pristine Contemporary in New Delhi.

Bang, now 25, believes there’s more to heartbreak than just pain. “There’s a beauty in it,” he says. His exhibition aims to untangle the complexities of love and longing, drawing inspiration from the acclaimed 2000 film In the Mood for Love by Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai. “I wanted to pay tribute to the film,” he notes. The exhibition transports viewers back to 1960s Hong Kong, mirroring the aesthetic of Wong’s cinematic world.

Over the past year and a half, Bang created eighteen oil paintings that capture the emotions of the movie’s characters, Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen, portrayed by Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung. Some of the scenes are directly inspired by the film, while others emerge from Bang’s imagination. With the help of designer Sumant Jayakrishnan, he recreated the atmosphere of Wong’s Hong Kong, complete with period furnishings like red carpets and vintage telephones.

Jayakrishnan, who has worked on notable films like Deepa Mehta’s Water, shared his approach to bringing the film’s mood to life. “I focused on creating a spatial feeling that resonates emotionally,” he explains. He aimed to capture the unique color tones of Wong’s visuals, allowing the exhibition to evoke memories associated with the film.

The paintings range from vibrant colors to minimalist frames, reflecting the emotional depth of the characters—two souls experiencing love’s highs and lows. Bang’s appreciation for Wong’s film began while he was a student in Florence, where he admired the use of light reminiscent of 17th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer.

Bang considers his journey transformative. Two years ago, a self-portrait of himself as Chhatrapati Shivaji marked a significant moment in his artistic evolution. “It challenged me to explore color and diversity in my work,” he recalls.

This exhibition is more than just a collection of paintings; it’s an invitation to explore the intricate dynamics of love and memory.

The Weight of Love runs until May 11.

For more insights on art and emotions, you can read about the psychological impacts of art on feelings at Psychology Today.

Source link

art, artist, lifestyle, lifestyle news, life, paintings, oil paintings