Regarded as one of Goa’s leading senior artists, Mohan Naik’s works have certainly embedded him in Goa’s art scene. Staying true to his roots, his art has always focussed on the simplicity of a rural village life. From young boys and girls tending to their cattle, goats and sheep to the women drawing water from the well while spending time with a little chit-chat, his style is recognisable in an art gallery full of Goan art.
Born and raised in the picturesque village of Ghodkem, Balli, Cuncolim, Mohan completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Goa College of Art in 1989 and has been active in the art scene since then. With several solo and group exhibitions across India, he has been able to build a client base for his works over the years.
His new collection of 20 paintings, ‘Rustic Rhapsody,’ is a solo exhibition of the captivating works of the vivid portrayal of rustic Indian life, skilfully combining figurative aesthetics with the timeless theme of human association with livestock. His works resonate with a nostalgic charm, capturing the essence of village life that is slowly vanishing in our ever-developing world. “I have always had national and international clients for decades now. I have exhibited in various cities across India and abroad. The difference here is being able to get more connected with art galleries and clients from Mumbai which is quite a hub for collectors across India,” says Mohan about his first exhibition at the Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai which opened on October 23 and will be on display till October 29.
Easily counted in the top 10 art galleries in India, Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai, was established in 1952. Owned by a private organisation, the gallery has exhibited paintings by popular Indian artists, including the Progressive Artist Group, founded by Francis Newton Souza, Syed Haider Raza, Krishnaji Howlaji Ara, Sadanand K Bakre, Hari Ambadas Gade and Maqbool Fida Husain, being one of the first exhibitions. Speaking about the gallery, Mohan says, “Jehangir Art Gallery is definitely a prestigious place to have a solo show. It has been home to many famous artists and has been a platform for career growth of many talented artists. I am happy to have this show here. FN Souza and his group of Progressive Artists treated Jehangir Art Gallery as a home and a familiar space. Likewise, there are others associated with Goa who have had their shows here.” One of the most recent Goan artist to have an exhibition at the gallery was John Pereira who exhibited ‘Once Upon a Time in Goa.’
Mohan’s uses pastel and warm colors, to showcase the natural color palette of the Indian village. For this exhibition, he worked for over a year in recreating the beauty of the relationships shared in the village life among villagers as well as the livestock that they depend upon for their livelihood. “The entire collection is new work and I focused on work for this show, once the gallery dates were confirmed,” says Mohan, who is currently in Mumbai for the show.
“There has been no reason to approach this in a different manner. My style of work has been drawing art lovers from across the country to my studio or to galleries exhibiting my work. There are quite a few well-wishers and clients in and around Mumbai and I am using this as an opportunity to exhibit closer to them,” adds Mohan.
How has the response been at the exhibition? “We have a good turnout of guests for the opening. And there has been a lot of appreciation for the style, skill and effort in my art. It has been a good start and I am sure it will be very rewarding,” says Mohan optimistically.
Besides exhibiting in prominent art galleries in Goa and cities of India like Mumbai, Bangalore and Udaipur, Mohan also had solo exhibitions in the UK and Scotland. His simplicity and realistic painting style, makes him one of the most sought after artists by art collectors. “I hope that the younger generation of artists learn and understand the value of perseverance and creation of a unique identity or style in their work. It takes time and effort to develop one’s own unique style and we should not expect to see success overnight. We must always be open to learning techniques and improving on our own work,” concludes Mohan Naik.