TODAY

Delhi's Afternoon Newspaper.

Wednesday,28 January,2004

ART ON THE ROCKS

DAZZLING WITH lurid hues and also eco-friendly activism, this artist's canvas employ an approach that is both ancient and avant-garde.

Having brandished a brush for 35 years, Jain recently shifted from oils to organics. The goal: to go green- the concept, not the color-and subject her studio to nature's guidelines. So she adopted a technique, known as nihonga, which applies a mixture of water, glue, and powdered rock mineral pigments-from shells to semi-precious stones; to hand made paper. The fusion delivers unique depth, dimension and texture.

To acquire knowledge about nihonga, Jain traveled to Tokyo, where the craft has been cultivated ever since the Japanese lifted it from India-via Korea, centuries ago. She studied there for four years, perfecting her skill.

Now, Jain has personalised the procedure,putting a new spin on the old style. She's returned nihonga to India, and used it to depict rural life in her native Rajasthan.

The PBC Art Gallery dubs the collection, "a kaleidoscope of the colorful state of Rajasthan" In almost every painting, either flora, working women or desert life appear decorated in the rainbow's brilliant range.