Strokes of strength

[1]

Following a successful solo exhibition at London’s Nehru Centre Art Gallery in 2010, Pune-based artist Musarrat Masters has returned with a collection of vibrant canvases to Mumbai for her 21st solo exhibition. Titled Inspirational Strokes, the exhibition is on display at the Jehangir Art Gallery until April 23.

Inspiration Strokes features 20 works, in which Musarrat’s penchant for abstraction and for depicting female and equine forms come together beautifully. The viewer can expect to be treated to striking visuals, with bold colours, symmetrical forms and a sense throughout of restrained power.
Musarrat says the strength, power and force inherent in the equine form has always inspired her to paint and draw. “It’s not just their physical strength, it’s also that horses have a close connection to human beings,” she explains. Having closely observed the animals in varied settings — during races and polo matches, for instance — Musarrat has always rendered their particular grace accurately, and Inspirational Strokes features one image that offers a unique “top view” of the animals.
As much as her work is a celebration of the beautiful, accuracy is also a very important principle for Musarrat. “The anatomy has to be correct,” she asserts. “I take a lot of time to study the subject and it’s very important to me that the drawing be correct, especially for the angle that I choose (to depict the figure).” Abstractionism is another element the Cubism-inspired artist has to bring into her works, along with movement and force.
Musarrat creates works directly on the canvas. “There are no rough sketches or drawings. I find that working directly on canvas helps bring the power and beauty of the thought out better,” she explains.
For an artist who has been showcasing her work for over three decades now, and has found considerable acclaim and patronage as well for it, art is all about the journey, the evolution. “You do need the money, but what’s far more important is that you evolve,” Musarrat says. “With each work, I have evolved intellectually and spiritually.”
The show is on till April 23 at the Jehangir Art Galleryy, Kala Ghoda.