‘When you slow down enough to sculpt, you discover all kinds of things you never noticed before.’.... Karen Jobe

Prof. Pankaj Panwar was born in an artists’ family where both of his parents, Avtar Singh Panwar and Prabha Panwar were renowned sculptor and designer respectively and taught as the faculty members at Lucknow College of Arts and Crafts. Pankaj Panwar completed his graduation from Kala Bhavan, Visva Bharati University of Santiniketan in 1986, followed by a master’s degree from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 1988 with specialization in sculpture in both the institutions. Subsequently he received the Henry Moore fellowship which provided him an opportunity to study at the Royal College of Art, London where he did a Post-Experience Diploma in Sculpture during the years 1989-1991. These three major art institutes and the global visual exposure left a strong impact on his subsequent creative journey and made him a highly informed sculptor. Later in 1995 he joined the sculpture department of Kala Bhavana as a regular faculty.

Most of the works, right from the inception of Pankaj Panwar’s creative pursuit, are rooted in the figurative and narrative subject-matters which he experienced and culled from his immediate social surroundings. One of the most important works from his early phase, titled ‘Cock Fight’ is a testimony to the fact that Pankaj Panwar since his childhood developed a deep interest in watching birds and animals, especially their movements and activities. The source of this interest can be attributed to his father who had a fascinating collection of birds and animals. This is reflected in his works, either as a theme or a motif or an association, that sustained his art for a long time.

Pankaj Panwar, largely and primarily known as a sculptor, has been simultaneously exploring other art formats like drawing, painting, installation art, site specific works etc. and thus prefers to consider himself as a visual artist with a wider approach to his art practice. The present show titled ‘Lockdown Melodies – A Continuum’ to some extent proves this point and showcases the multiple artistic trajectories of Mr. Panwar who loves to work with diverse mediums and materials and varied subjects, despite his fondness for certain artistic concerns that remain close to him throughout. The idea of this show came up when during the lockdown period we were all caged and confined within our home and the virtual field was the only way to get in touch with the world outside and to make us were of what is happening in our mind, consciously or unconsciously. I got to see the series of drawings he produced during that time, and found them extremely thought-provoking and markedly different from Pankaj Panwar’s sculptural works, in taste and sensibility. Thematically, they are certainly connected but due to his irresistible penchant for drawing and watercolor, these works on paper assumed a completely new visual idiom he allowed to evolve and flourish. My own understanding of him mainly as a sculptor grew and got enriched considerably as it became more inclusive and holistic. Although in these drawings too we find a strong and significant presence of birds and animals, his inclusion of mechanical forms and constructions endow his art with a different dimension bringing in the sense of conflicts between the natural life and a machine-driven world, between the nature and the human-made. Apparently, this series of works on paper started as a daily habit of recording his visual experiences emerging from both the conscious and the subconscious mind and turning them into evocative images. Soon these images found a context thus stimulating the artist to probe further, augmenting the potential of this medium and the artistic engagement, more consistently.

Simultaneously, as a curator I was also developing my conceptual idea for such a show where both sculptures and drawings can create a multivocal dialogic space within themselves and for the viewers. The show has been divided into two sections namely drawings and sculptures and it also includes a video comprising the early and previous works to enable the viewers to comprehend the creative journey of the artist with reference to his works created in different phases of his career.

It is true that one single show of the present scale is not adequate to understand the artistic trajectory of a prolific artist like Pankaj Pawar who has contributed to the contemporary art world over more than thirty years. Yet he is never in a hurry but prefers to work following his instinct and the natural drive of a visual artist. However, this show titled ‘Lockdown Melodies – A Continuum’ is a glimpse of this intense and quiet practice that enriches the viewers profoundly.

Curator

Dr. Soma Bhowmik