The red panda of Sikkim, the Indian gaur found in Kerala, the one-horned rhino of Assam and the Bengal tiger become the subjects of Trivandrum-based artist Nishi Chaitanya’s new series of paintings. Infinite Reminders, an exhibition that showcases her work along with that of Priyanka Aelay at Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabad, invites viewers to take in stunning images of endangered wildlife species and enchanted forests. Priyanka Aelay’s paintings, meanwhile, are an extended exploration of the surreal mysterious forests, as an offshoot of her research on the folktale of Bala Nagamma. In their own way, both the series work as reminders of the need for ecological conservation.
The artists’ diverse and distinct styles reaffirm their affinity towards Nature and wildlife. Nishi who hails from Indore, had lived in Hyderabad and Kochi before finding her home in Trivandrum. She observes how the hues of green on the foliage differ in Hyderabad and Kochi. With no formal education in art, she took a liking to art when she lived in Kochi and trained under artist Sara Hussain. Poring over documentaries on wildlife and the common interest shared with her husband, Chaitanya Solanki, who pursues wildlife photography, she began specialising in wildlife painting.
