Give Peace Another Chance, a series of artworks by Guntur-bred and now Vadodara-based artist Adarsh Baji, attempts to make viewers pause and rediscover Gandhi, ahead of his 154th birth anniversary on October 2. Through large format charcoal, pen and ink, and oil on canvas artworks, the artist highlights the relevance of Gandhi and is confident that his ideology will continue to thrive. Presenting his first solo show in Hyderabad at Kalakriti Art Gallery, Adarsh says the series is a result of seven to eight years of work. “Gandhi has been increasingly criticised in the last few years. But I believe that he will triumph.”
A charcoal work titled Humbling the World metaphorically depicts statues of exalted personalities of the West bowing to Gandhi who takes it all in his stride with his characteristic smile. “The world remembers and respects Gandhi, while the situation has changed in India,” says Adarsh. In another acrylic painting he depicts the fall of Nathuram Godse and juxtaposes it with a floral tribute to a smiling Gandhi.
