Study In Contrasts
Thematic realism coupled with an imaginative treatment dominate Animesh Roy’s paintings.
Thursday, July 30, 1992

His work is a world of contrasts woven around the juxtaposition of warm earth colours cool dark colours, of sharp light and shade, of movement versus stillness. violence versus serenity.

The charm of his paintings lie in not aiming at capturing the grave profoundity of life. His paintings have the allure of a somewhat star portrayal.

The Autumnal Woods I and II are a study of light and shade. The white and brown tree trunks with their dark green foliage make an effective foil for the lemon yellow fore-ground interspersed with orange. The effect created is not that of soft, dappled light filtering through the trees but the dazzling light of a clear day.

These are Animesh’s more effective impressionist works. It is to the artist’s credit that he has handled such strong colours so sensitively that the contrasts never turn into conflict.

The hectic energy witnessed in these paintings is missing in the Tropical Bird Flower whose lush greens build up an atmosphere of tranquility, and a moist cool fecundity.

Lane I and II are the depiction of the same composition in two modes that the artist has created through the use of two different treatments. Both are a portrayal of semi urban life of a road passing through red roofed houses. The foucs on the lane is emphasised by the two figures walking on it.

Lane I has a rather deserted lonely look of cool dusk about it through the use of darker colours and lengthening shadow painted with even, soft brushstrokes while Lane II uses thick coats of uneven strikes — vibrant colours bursting with vitality and energy.

Crimson and pink break through the green and brown undergrowth around the small stream in Brook II. The judicious use of otherwise overpowering colours like crimson, by the artist, relieves the oppresive gloom of the thick growth.

Animesh utilises oil colour technique to produce watercolour effects with acrylic colours in the waterfall.

The vividness of the artist’s pallets emerges again ‘in the Yellow Wood, a study in yellow, green and orange of fiery light permeating through the whole forest, reminiscent of unrelenting summer months of baked earth, dry leaves and blinding sun.

The road path is an idiom that is repeated throughout the selection on display as in In the Woods, Untrodden Path and the Red Road. In the latter, the artist has tried to reduce the composition to two images painted with minimal brush work though not lacking in colour. The concept of the painting is interesting in its simplicity but its handling leaves much to be desired.

Animesh has shown amazing maturity in his treatment and imaginative conception. He has stuck to a simple but effective compositional structure using colour for balance.

The highlight of his work is the skill with which he has used texture to create the environment, using uneven strokes with thick colours for the creating contrasts and movement, a technique specially useful in acrylic, his chosen medium. He has reserved gentle brushwork for every few of his works that emphasise repose.

The young artist shows a lot of promise in the treatment of uncomplicated themes, infusing them with energy and movement.

Seema Bawa
The Pioneer New Delhi