Nudity steals Aizawl art show

Aizawl, Oct 21 (UNI) Nudity stole the show in the art gallery here at Vanapa hall as figuring women in nude turned centre of attraction for the viewers at the ongoing painting exhibition.

'' Nudity has always been one of the most favourite subjects of an artist. Anyone who visits a major art display in Europe or North America is bound to see a large number of paintings containing nude figures which usually embarrass many Christians, said Laltanpuia, a guru of the Mizoram School of Fine Arts, who is organising the art exhibition for the first time in Aizawl in recent times.

Unclothed woman figures constitute about 30 percent of the paintings exhibition, Mr Laltanpuia said adding it may embarass a section of viewers.

Mizoram's top and India's V category artist Tlangrokhuma, who was honoured at the inauguration of the art exhibition for his contribution to Mizo paintings, also admitted that nude woman figure is his most favourite subject.

About 200 paintings are on display at the art show most of which are the works of the fine art school's students.

'' We had been preparing for about a year to make this show a reality. This is a silent call to the state government which has done nothing to promote Mizo arts, '' Laltanpuia said.

With the government and the rich people paying no interest in the arts, tough challenges are ahead for the Mizo artists who have been struggling hard for the survival of their art.

While more than 90 percent of Mizo artists have closed down their shops in search of alternative source of income, Laltanpuia said he would go on to face the challenges.

'' Painting is my passion which I will never give up. I will go on exploring the country with my style of painting, '' Laltanpuia stated.

The artist was proud of his Amazing Grace (oil on canvas- 90 cms x 80cms) which he classed as neo-realism. The painting is priced at Rs 1,50,000, the costliest ever in Mizoram. Laltanpuia said he would stage a solo exhibition in Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi with this series.

'' Since its inauguration on October 17, the art exhibition has attracted a lot of spectators mostly younger generation,'' Tlangrokhuma said.

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