Govardhan by Siddharth Shingde | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Homesickness can be any kind of inspiration and for Mumbai-based artist Siddharth Shingde, it certainly was. In Secrets of the Soil, her ongoing solo exhibition in Bengaluru, the artist has captured the sights, sounds and wonders of her hometown.
Siddharth Shingde | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Hailing from Tuljapur in southern Maharashtra, Siddhartha was persuaded to take up art seriously by his mother’s elder brother. M. Shravasti, an artist from Pune, saw his nephew’s paintings and encouraged him to develop his talent. “I didn’t know art could be a career option till then,” says Siddharth. “My uncle worked on portraits, sketches and landscapes and I learned a lot from him. He was my inspiration.
Door by Siddharth Shingde | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
After Class XII, Siddharth moved to Latur to pursue a Diploma in Art Teaching, then moved to Mumbai to complete his art education at the LS Raheja School of Art. However, life in the big city was not without its difficulties. “I was struggling for everything in those days – food, accommodation, art material. It took me time to get used to Mumbai,” he says, “I felt I had left a lot behind to reach the city. My village, the people I used to know, the sunlight, the soil, the trees, the wide open space, the river and even the birds and animals, I missed all this even after being away for five years.
It was then that Siddharth captured the nostalgia on canvas. “If you look at my work, it all starts with life in the village,” he admits.
Trees by Siddharth Shingde | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
People went to the fields, to gossip, to weddings or to naming ceremonies; Rustic scenes began to appear in earthy tones in his work.
Siddharth uses acrylic on canvas as he believes this medium best suits him. “It does justice to my subject and I feel that I have been able to achieve the desired results in my work.” He also worked with watercolors and oils when he was starting out but dropped the latter as he felt they did not set well in the climate of Mumbai.
Shiv Parvati by Siddhartha Shingde | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“Acrylics have a language of their own and I’m comfortable with them.”
26 canvases of varying sizes and a few sketches involving the mystery of clay were executed during the lockdown. Some celebrate the rural lifestyle while others are artist impressions of scenes from mythology and spirituality. The villagers along with Krishna, Shiva and Parvati are captured in the shade of nature as they go about their daily chores.
Baraat by Siddharth Shingde | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Mystery of the Soil by Siddhartha Shingde is on display at the KNKYNY Art Gallery till February 18.
Siddharth Shingde | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement