Lucknow: An exhibition of wash paintings opened at State Lalit Kala Akademi on the occasion of 112th birth anniversary Sukhvir Sanghal on Tuesday. Oraniser, Sukhvir Sanghal Art Foundation, also launched Sukhvir Sanghal Digital Archive, an online repository aimed at preserving, documenting and showcasing the artist’s body of work for future generations.Wash paintings are made by heavy dilution of watercolours or paints with water, oil, or turpentine to create very thin brush strokes that create a soft atmosphere.The exhibition features 13 rare wash paintings and 15 archival records tracing Sanghal’s artistic journey and contribution to Indian art. Among notable work on display is ‘Money Lender’ (1949), which portrays a village creditor seated on a bed with a hookah beside him while distressed villagers plead for financial assistance.Another key work, ‘Rama Birth Greetings’ (1934), depicts the newborn Lord Ram asleep in his mother Kaushalya’s lap while women from the royal palace arrive with gifts to bless the infant.President of the art foundation who is the artist’s granddaughter, Priyam Chandra, said the digital archive was result of years of preservation, research and documentation. She said the initiative would help make Sanghal’s artistic heritage available to scholars, students and art enthusiasts across the world.
