Art show to mark the Golden Jubilee of Russian Centre in New Delhi

By

Jose Kalathil

An exhibition of works by well-known Russian artist, Olga Okuneva, is on until 14 December as part of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC), in New Delhi.

It was inaugurated by former Indian Ambassador to Russia, Pavan K Varma, who is now a Member of Parliament. The Chief Guest also released the book ‘Olga Okuneva: Painting Graphics‘ on the occasion.

Describing the art works as a brilliant presentation by Olga Okuneva, Mr Varma wished her a promising career. Tracing his long association with the artist right from his stint in Moscow as the head of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, he recalled her consistent efforts, commitment and dedication as a painter, graphic artist and book illustrator. He also underscored the artist’s sensibility to grasp the detailed aspects of Indian mythology and scriptures.

Earlier, welcoming the gathering of artists, art-lovers, critics, compatriots, students and media persons, RCSC director, Mr Fedor Rozozskiy, lauded her works as a spiritual synthesis of artistic tradition and cultural heritage. It is a matter of pride and enthusiasm that the exhibition was opened by her friend and close associate, Mr Varma, he said.

Born in Otradny, Kyibishevskaya (Samaraa) Region, Russia, Olga Vasilyevna Okuneva attended the Orenburg College of Arts from 1976 to 1980 and studied at Kharkov State Academy of Design and Arts from 1982 to 1987. In 1990, she joined the Artists’ Union of the Russian Federation. In 1998, she was awarded the high government distinction ‘Honoured Artist of Russia’. She is the motive force behind a number of large-scale projects and exhibitions such as Samyatra, The Way to the Ocean, Mahabharata, etc, which turned into great international cultural events. In the exhibition, she shares her way of seeing the beauty of the world both in its grandeur and in its everyday discreet simplicity, the impressions of her travels and wanderings. Her work reveals imposing monumentality, attractive decorativeness, symbolic generalization and philosophical profundity.

Olga is deep in the mystery of integration of colours, textures and lines, and is concentrated on the pursuit of her own truth and revelations. She is above the rage for the brand-new and the most recent trends and tendencies all around. Having reached freedom of self-expression, mastering various techniques and materials, she remains true to herself, to her images to her pictorial work-view, which is marked with very great creative strength of mind. She has participated in a large number of international art and cultural projects across the world — Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Netherlands, Spain and USA, and is close to the minds and hearts of Indian people as she has visited the country many a time and demonstrated her solo and group exhibitions in different parts of India.

Expressing her satisfaction in sharing her love with India, the beautiful people and wonderful nature, Olga thanked RCSC for giving an opportunity to showcase her art works.

Jose Kalathil

Jose Kalathil is a senior journalist based in New Delhi. With more than three decades of experience in different publications in India and Nepal, he is comfortable writing on any topic under the sun.