A brush with life

Artist Paresh Maity doesn't look like a biking fan

Artist Paresh Maity doesn't look like a biking fan. Yet some of the sculptures in his exhibition Montage Moments Memories are actually made from motorbike parts. The collection of landscapes, portraits, photographs and sculptures is on show at the Jehangir Art Gallery till November 15. Paresh, on the occasion of his 52nd solo exhibition, tells CS about his art, motorbike parts and his passion for travel:

PIC/u00a0 MAHANAND GUPTA

Picture perfect
Montage Moments Memories showcases paintings, drawings, monumental sculptures in bronze and sculptures made out of parts of the Bullet motorcycle. I'm also, for the first time, featuring a film, Kolkata to Kozhikode that traces India through the monsoon season. Mystic City is my collection of paintings that feature landscapes and figurative images. It highlights mysticism in light and celebration. My photograph collection is titled Faces of Life. I've added drama to those pictures by working on them with ink. I've shot them in tribal areas and have had a long connection with the faces in the photographs. I've watched some of them grow up and have highlighted their dreams and aspirations in ink.

Colour code
I am inspired by nature, people, light and water. My obsession with water could be due to the fact that I hail from Tamluk in Bengal, a place that is surrounded by water. My work is a riot of colours and attractive people. The first time I visited Rajasthan, I was enthralled by the colours I saw there. That was 20 years ago, and since then I've always seen my world through colours.

On the go
I love travelling, not only because it is a part of my job. I've been all over the world - my favourite destinations are Rajasthan, Varanasi and Venice. In 2000, I showcased my Venice collection at Jehangir. New Zealand is one fascinating country I hope to travel to soon.