MUMBAI, 13 OCTOBER, 2024 (TGN): Dr. Mahalaxmi K Wankhedkar’s artworks are on display from 15th to 21st October, 2024 at the Nehru Center Art Gallery, Worli. Eminent persons will visit this exhibition. Dr. Mahalaxmi who revived nature with her brilliant brain and skillful art. Dr. Mahalaxmi Wankhedkar is a born nature lover who grew up in the affluent area of Mumbai just opposite the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
A former student of the JJ School of Arts who creates incredibly realistic and unique 3D paper cut art of jungle birds and insects. In the current exhibition, one can see many artworks of Horned Owl, Flamingo, Paradise, Hummingbird Kingfisher, Himalayan Monal, Gray Peacock, Nicobar Pigeon, Fruit Pigeon, Mandarin Duck, and various other birds.
The smallest artwork is 8 cm * 10 cm and the largest is 70 cm by 120 cm. Air India sponsored her on behalf of India for “Indian Art and Culture” at the World International Art Exhibition in China in 2007. Her pictures adorn the offices of Air India. In 2005, an exhibition of miniature paper cutting art was held at the World Trade Center. In 2016 “Limca Book of Records” recorded her name as “Queen of Tiny and Micro Cutting Paper Art in Birds”.
Generally, paper does not seem to be a favorable medium when envisioning a sculpture, yet paper artworks are made realistic. A wonderful process of creating various colors, shapes and textures on white paper is transformed into naturalistic birds and forests. About one hundred and fifty shears per inch. A unique combination of great imagination, creativity and reality is seen in these works of art.
Dr. Mahalaxmi has a rare talent in realistic paper art. Being a nature lover, she has an affinity for nature and this is one of her tireless efforts to preserve and conserve nature. Aimed to do something unique as an artist. She pursued her dream and gave paper cutting a whole new dimension and cutting edge. Her creations try to get closer to nature, but she feels she can only match 1% because in this universe, the nature is created with a wonderful energy which is the confluence of science and spirituality and human beings cannot reach it. But still there is a spiritual satisfaction when these works of art are completed on paper. This artwork is truly incredible. Her patience and perseverance, along with her will power, drives her to complete the smallest details. Her details in paper cutting are so precise that each strand of paper is as thin as a hair. This precision is reflected in the feathers of the birds she creates, making them look almost real. She lets what she does happen naturally, believing that paper has an energy and life of its own. She believes that everyone is allowed to express their beauty and we should try to nurture it. Nature is the booster for all living creatures. Birds are the most important living creatures in the world. If this basic element is not present in the creation, the Pancha Tattva will completely collapse and become imbalanced, so these birds need to be conserved and protected. In order to be inspired and get closer to nature, these unique artworks of birds in their project have been created.
dr.mahalaxmiwankhedkar@gmail.com
