Artists showcase their work  A touch of India in Sanaa [Archives:2002/18/Last Page]

Mujahed
Al-Mussaabi
Yemen Times Staff
An exhibition of oil and pottery paintings by two Indian artists, Sarabjeet Bahata and Mrs. Shymala was opened at the Dia office in Sanaa, April 20.
The exhibition was inaugurated by renowned Yemeni painter Mazhar Nizar.
It consisted of two parts: pottery paintings, by Shymala and miniature glass/oil paintings by Sarabjeet.
Mujahed Al Mussaabi of the Yemen Times met with the two artists and filed the following report.
What were your beginnings?
Both artists had no professional training.
Mrs. Sarabjeet said Since I was a kid, I was very fond of paintings and beautiful drawings. This love grew with me as I grew up. I saw many paintings and thus, I was encouraged to start my own paintings. But I actually started professional painting three years ago.
Mrs. Shymala said she started three years ago when she came to Sanaa from Oman.
My friend in Oman taught me how to paint on pottery. I chose paintings on pottery because I wanted to paint something different and while I have no professional training, I found it easy to me to draw on pottery.
What are your themes?
Mrs. Sarabjeet replied,Woman and nature are the most characters in my paintings. Womans beauty attracts me, so its the focus of my paintings, and the charming nature as well.
Mrs. Shymalas characters are quite different, often being figures and Gods. Animals like the elephant, very common in India are among the common characters of her potteries.
Both artists are so fascinated by Yemeni architecture, Kamarias, Old Sanaas decoration. They are willing to include Yemeni objects in their paintings later on.
The good artist
Mrs Sarabjeet said the good Artist should be sincere and dedicated to their work while the most important characteristics of the good artist in Mrs. Shymalas opinion include use a good color combinations and a good technique.
How does the public interact with the paintings?
Both artists agreed that there was a good response from mostly Indian visitors
The most valuable painting
The Waves and The Waiting are Sarabjeets most valuable paintings. Waves painting is the most important, If you keep looking at it you would feel that its a real scene. Its also different from other paintings in colors and materials used and both were painted in India.
Mrs Shymalas valuable pottery is Farmer and Wife which presents the Indian women at farms.
Did you show any exhibitions in Yemen before?
Mrs Sarabjeet said Yes. This is my second exhibition . The first was at Taj Sheba Hotel.
Both Ms Shymala and Mrs Sarabjeet thanked the Dia office in Sanaa for its facilities and support.


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