Recent Abstract Executions Of Minakshi Patil
[Mumbai]

Mrinal Ghosh

In her recent paintings, Minakshi Patil experiments with a particular form of abstraction, where she tries to capture an intangible feeling generated out of a very tangible reality that one experiences in the existential process. Her form of abstraction has no direct link with any natural process or reality. She only transforms the reality of existential experience. There are various forms of darkness in human life. Sometimes darkness is an absence of light. Often, too much of light may cause a feeling of blurring of reality, which is a form of darkness. At times, darkness may be a positive condition that causes an environment of germination. In its opposite pole, there may be a devastating darkness symbolizing destruction or annihilation.

Minakshi, in this series of her paintings, firstly tries to devise the various characteristics of darkness or the absence of light. Here, she experiments with a form of minimal abstraction in a parallel tune like that of Yves Klein, Agnes Martin or Brice Marden. Out of that, darkness emerges the light. The light may be a splash of lightening or a vibration due to an explosion that may be generated out of a societal turmoil. These two opposing conditions of darkness and light give rise to a dramatic conflict. Here, she deviates from the condition of tranquility, of minimal abstraction and generates another kind of spiritual inwardness through synthesis of two opposing poles’ existential condition symbolized by darkness and light. The spiritual and philosophical background of her Indian existence comes into play here. She assimilates tradition with contemporary reality.