Culture

PaintBrush Art Community launches book and exhibition

23 Aug 2021

Cover of the book.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

The PaintBrush Art Community, founded by artist Sonal Purohit in 2019, along with Vikas Bhargava, CEO Dcom Design Co. FZE, with artist members from around the world, has published a coffee table book concept called Art & Artisan Next To You. Curated by Purohit, it covers 70 internationally renowned artists from 15 countries, with 481 artworks and 1981 images. “It is a book dedicated to the art world,” says Purohit. The launch, which took place August first week, is being accompanied by an exhibition titled Freedom, consisting of 32 artists and 55 artworks (on display in the Holiday Inn Al Barsha till September 7). In all, 80 artists attended the inaugural event.

“‘Freedom’ displays the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without being imprisoned or enslaved,” says Purohit. She said that the book has received “tremendous response for the idea and concept since it allows artists and artisans reach homes of those who love, embrace and collect art.”

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Sam Pitroda, inventor, entrepreneur and telecom revolutionary of India, Sultana Kazim, Ahmed Awadh Al Rukni and many other eminent artists are featured in the book.

The project is being supported by Rex Interiors & Group of Companies, Danube Group, Casa Milano, Holiday Inn (Al Barsha), Hezire, Plan B Group, Bu Abdullah Group of Companies, Prime Healthcare Group and FoMP Group, along with international media such as Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Keralam, Televisionario 2 and Be Attractive.

It has won the approval and appreciation of leading personalities and collectors such as Rizwan Sajan – Chairman Danube Group; K. Kalimuthu – Consul India; Anis Sajan – Vice Chairman Danube Group; Ruby Sajan – Philanthropist (Danube Group); Dr. Jamil Ahmed – Founder & MD Prime Healthcare Group; Harmeek Singh – Chairman Plan B Group; Dinesh Kothari – Founder & Vice Chairman Delhi Private School; Bu Abdullah – Chairman Bu Abdullah Group; Dr Jitendra Matalani – Vice President, World Book Of Records London; Roxana Jaffer – CEO of Holiday Inn, Al Barsha and Dr Mustafa Saasa, Chairman, Raj Group of Companies.

At the inaugural event, Anis Sajan, Vice Chairman of Danube group, fondly known as “Mr. Cricket” received his “Mr. Cricket” portrait from The PaintBrush Art Community member, Sugat Priyadarshi. World Book of Records London, which has acclaimed the book, felicitated Dr Jamil Ahmed for COVID 19 initiatives and supporting children of Special Needs Future Development Center, Dubai, by displaying their artworks in Prime Hospital, while Anjini Prakash Laitu received an award for his enormous contribution to the art world. Incidentally, he is the only and first artist to receive the award globally.

The PaintBrush Art Community is a very active cohort of artists and art lovers, based in the UAE. Earlier, it had hosted Retro Revival 2020, an online exhibition titled In Retrospection.

The theme was based on artworks showing renowned globally acclaimed artists from various fields. It covered the 1950 to 1980 era and artists, displayed their artworks live, and participants wore attires that complemented their art form. They also enacted scenes from retro Bollywood and Hollywood movies, sang songs related to their artworks and spoke dialogues of retro movie stars! The exhibition was inaugurated by Chief Guest Ruby Sajan of Danube Group, who is known to be an absolute film buff herself. Sajan said that “art in all forms is unique; artists with such talent showcasing their forms, was mind blowing.”

The event was curated by Sonal Purohit and a total of 24 artists participated and showcased their artworks. It was watched by an online audience of nearly 2,000 and reached around 6,000 viewers. It was supported by Simply Jaipur, whose aim is to support Rajasthani culture across the globe. (Rajasthan is a State of India and is home to a colourful bouquet of amazing monuments, magnificent forts, magical palaces, vibrant folk dances, captivating handicrafts and delectable delicacies). The event saw performances of Aarav Bhatt, an emerging international soloist-singer from Canada and Vinay Joshi, popular artist and soloist from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. They both belted out retro era melodies.