For a qualified and quality painter like Laxmi Jhunjhnuwala, winning an Award should not come as a surprise, for, over the past two years, her works have been sources of endearment and fascination for critics and fans alike.
The Waitakere Central Community Arts Council honoured her with a Merit Award for her recent painting called, ‘The Blue Cap,’ as a part of the Waitakere Trust Awards 2011.
Auckland Arts Gallery Chris Saines said ‘The Blue Cup,’ was a striking work of art, “not because, but despite the simplicity of its formal elements.’
“The paint forms a kind of skin and terrain on the surface of the canvas, reminiscent of artists like John Miro and more locally Max Gimblett. A lot of thought and study have gone into this work. This painting was not an accident. It looked confident,” he said.
Ms Jhunjhnuwala was thrilled.
“It was a great honour to be shortlisted by an eminent person like Mr Saines. It was even more gratifying to be compared with Miro and Gimblett,” she said.
‘The Blue Cup’ is an abstract, clean, minimalist, modern conceptual work on canvas. The 1200 X 1200 work was tactile and three-dimensional.
Ms Jhunjhnuwala said as an artist, her aim was to just participate and construct conditions to allow nature to take its course, exploring the paradoxical relationship between change and constancy.
“I have limited control over creative events but just provide the conditions for them to occur. The artwork grows and transforms itself into the final product,” she said and added that she considered art as freedom and joy.
She infuses her heritage within the expressions she creates in her paintings, with bold and bright colours as the main aspects.
“The work is celebratory and generates a positive aura, which fills the space and is felt by the viewers. I named it ‘The Blue Cup’ as I was looking for a simple, fun, light-hearted name. The work reminded me of a blue cup,” she said.
Ms Jhunjhnuwala said she was keen to participate in more national and international shows and do more solo or group exhibitions.
‘The Blue Cup’ was on display at the Gallery Corbans Estate Arts Centre, Henderson from November 17 to 27, 2011.
The annual Waitakere Trust Awards marked their 25th anniversary this year.
