‘Crickart’: Paresh Maity’s cricket canvases keep scoreboard ticking

The ‘Cricket’s Greatest Canvas’ exhibition which, which recently came to a close after celebrating the marriage of sport and art, saw Indian artist Paresh Maity presenting his artworks on cricket. The event was hosted by Art be a Part, in collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Gameplan; it also marked the first solo show in Dubai for Maity. The exhibition showcased 12 original works inspired by the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup. Maity’s brush exerted itself to capture the passion and spirit of cricket through the works. The timing of the exhibition was exquisite: ICC Champions Trophy was held also in Dubai, where India won the trophy on March 9. Maity is internationally acclaimed for his diverse artistic repertoire, which spans over four decades and includes 88 solo exhibitions worldwide. Renowned for his vibrant watercolours, expansive murals and mixed media works, he brought his signature style to cricket, blending movement, emotion, and energy into vibrant, classical canvases. He fields Gulf Today’s questions.

How did you develop an interest in cricket?

My deep interest in cricket started in 1983, when India won the World Cup under the captainship of Kapil Dev, who is my favourite cricketer. When I witnessed the match on television as a young boy, the energy and the excitement really made an impact on me and my peers. Since then, cricket has become an integral part of my life.

The artist's view of a match.

Why did you think cricket lends itself to art?

My vision is to transform everything into a piece of art, be it sports like cricket, football or creative pursuits like music, jugalbandi (duets) with maestros of music, or dance, that I have performed in the past with renowned dancer Birju Maharaj. So, when I was approached by ICC and Gameplan, I thought, why not expand my horizons to cricket? To combine art and cricket was a completely new experiment for me and as the curious mind of an artist always wants to try something new, I thought this was a perfect opportunity.

What were the challenges involved in working in cricket stadiums?

Yes, there were a lot of challenges. For example, to capture the essence of a match in a live setting on the cricket ground. Just imagine, millions of people experiencing the energy and excitement of the match; so much noise, the vigour and zest, all eyes on the match as well as on your creation. But I am very used to painting in front of people and audiences, absorbing their energies into my canvas. From a very young age, I have been doing outdoor paintings and have visited different places across the globe from Venice, capturing the skyline and canals, to Japan with the beautiful cherry blossoms, to the tranquil ghats of Varanasi or other parts of the world, Thus, while it was challenging, I was so engrossed, I forgot what was happening around me. I also believe challenges in life are important for your growth; that is why I love to face any challenges that come my way.

The drama of cricket.

Were you present at all the matches shown in the paintings?

I did five live matches and seven of them, I did while watching television. It was not logistically possible for me to travel to all the venues. With my art materials, including huge canvases and easels, going to all the matches was not feasible. Thus, I did some from my studio.

You are primarily known for your landscapes or portraits. What made you change to sports?

Yes, primarily, I do landscapes or portraits or different kinds of compositions. But, as I mentioned earlier, I do not wish to put a barrier on my art in any form. I always want to challenge myself and expand my horizons, be it cricket, any other sport or other creative pursuits, I am always open to new things. The idea and concept is the main thing that should be one’s focus. It does not matter if the mediums change, the subjects change - tomorrow I might experiment with other materials such as wood or metal. There should be no boundaries in art.

Paresh Maity before his artwork.

What aspects of cricket do you like?

I find that the most exciting aspect of a game, especially cricket, is the unity that it develops. Whenever a match happens, children, young adults, people from all walks of life, are united in the support of their respective countries or teams. Everyone is united as one, be it the winning team or the defeated team. I am really drawn to this aspect of the game.

What about women’s cricket? When do you plan to paint women cricketers?

Yes, women’s cricket is getting increasingly popular by the day and I would be delighted and honoured to have the pleasure of painting a women’s cricket live match one day.

Why did you choose to collaborate with Art be a Part to bring this exhibition to life?

I chose Art be a Part because when I got to know about them, I came across their mandate to do charitable work. They work with UNICEF, aid young artists and undertake excellent social work, especially in India. Our visions aligned and both of us have a lot of love and passion for the arts. So we came together for this exhibition. I always feel that since we take so much from society, giving back to it is essential.