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Personal turns into abstract in Indian-origin Argentinian painter’s works
New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) Abstract art by Thomas Francis, whose art practice started while tending to his daughter at home, is currently on view at the India International Centre (IIC) here.
“The Journey”, an exhibition of 44 of his acrylic and oil canvases, is open till December 28.
The 52-year-old Indian-origin Argentinian artist, who “cannot draw a face”, took to abstract art in 2005 when he was at home tending to his daughter all day.
“My wife is a diplomat. So, when when we were in Denmark, she used to go to work every day. I was taking care of our young daughter. One day I passed by an art shop, picked up brushes, a canvas and oil paints, since all big painters painted in oil,” Francis told IANS.
His wife Georgina Fernandez Destefano is the Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Argentinian embassy here.
What he created first was a strictly abstract work with the use of straight lines and pure colours.
Telling stories through lines and blocks of colour, along with his signature purple band on the top, Francis’ paintings are repositories of stories drawn from his personal space.
His work “Single Woman”, done almost a decade ago, shows a female figure with geometric proportions looking at thorny hurdles, waiting to leap to the other side.
The work, he said, draws inspiration from independent women around him, including his wife.
Another work, “War”, depicts Egypt’s 2011 Arab Spring.
“When you opened (turned on) the TV, all you saw was blood, blood everywhere. The work shows a lone soldier against a red backdrop, heading towards the mosque to find some peace,” the 52-year-old artist explained.
A limited series of his paintings also commemorate the 200th year of Argentina’s independence in 2016.
Francis has previously exhibited in several gallery spaces in Copenhagen, Buenos Aires, New Delhi and Mumbai. After living in Dubai, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires and Copenhagen, he has been in India since 2013.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.