Curated by Krishna Kant
For The Love Of Things is a collection of 9 sketches where the artist talks about love through his work. Be it the love for his nation or for his beloved. It’s all in the name of love that he sketches…the same way he stands guarding our lives.
Medium – Pencil on Paper
Ever wondered what it looks like to slither down a rope from a helicopter in the sky? The fear of heights, the adrenaline rush, the gripping of rope, the love towards mother earth – they all come together, mixed in one big bowl. Sakya says you don’t have much time to slither down- all you take are seconds. The dark shadow of the helicopter under the sun while the other member of the mission waits on the ground has been beautifully sketched by the artist.
Medium – Pen on Paper
It’s the memories of your loved ones that bring light in the toughest of terrain and the harshest of conditions. The yellow in the background really brightens the black ink which has been used to sketch. Sakya paints his childhood love, who remains his soul mate for life. The simplicity of the sketch is powerful. You don’t see a car or cell phones or bouquets of roses. It’s simple. It’s love. It’s a kiss. And It’s beautiful!
Medium – Pen on Paper
A sketch with a powerful message. The sketch showcases the life that our army leads on uneven grounds, risking their lives so that we all can exist. The written message turns the sketch more powerful and the added element of a knife through photography takes it a step further and enhances the feelings inscribed. Sakya says that the scene depicts him and his buddy while waiting to be picked up by the helicopters after a mission in the jungles of Assam.
Medium – Oil Pastels on Paper
An abstract work where an army guy returns to his beloved after a long time and they share a kiss. With the long intervals of time that these people spend away from their loved ones, it is the only evidence that they dream of their warm embrace and kisses while resting at night. One can notice the brazen look of the male, which also portrays that even though he looks all tough and rugged on the outside, he does have a heart, where his beloved resides. The faded eyes of the beloved depict the longing of her eyes, spent in emotions.
Medium – Pencil on Paper
A sketch depicting a scene of fighting/resistance by young Turks with their long ranged rifles and their round shields. The Turks have been said to be one of the best fighters of their time. They could survive in the driest mountains and the deserts. The depth in this painting with every aspect, be the shields of the guns of the pouch on the waist of the gunner, they all have been given a certain amount of depth and sketched with a great deal of finesse. Sakya says that while reading a story about these brave Turks, he painted them. He adds that they inspire him.
Medium – Pen on Paper
This sketch talks about the co-existence of a man and a woman in a human being. Every man has a woman in him and vice-versa. The concept portrays the coming together of two personalities in order to reach and become one creature of love and sorrows. The painting also makes us wonder about the ups and downs of life, the good and the bad and the happy and the sad moments. The thin lines bring together a piece of work which talks in layers and symbolizes oneness.
Medium – Pen on Paper
Sakya paints mother nature as his faceless muse and companion. The roots and flowers and bees and butterflies, all clothe mother nature. She remains faceless for she is far away from resembling any human being.
Medium- Pen on Paper
The sketch depicts Sakya patrolling in Nagaland. Sakya says that he sketches his mission to preserve a part of them for his lifetime. What’s amazing is the fact that Sakya manages to bring out the colors so well by just using a couple of pens. Holding a high-powered IMI Tavor TAR-21 gun, the soldier protects his motherland, conscious of his surroundings and sub-conscious of the beauty of nature around him.
Medium – Pencil and Oil Pastels on Paper
Bringing together the elements of words and sketch, the painting speaks on a multitude of levels. The whole idea of living, the notion of questioning the idea of living has been portrayed in this work. The shadow that covers half the face reflects the undiscovered side while at the same time, the written words deliver a powerful element of ingenuity to the painting.
About the Artist
Bhojpal Sakya
Bhojpal Shakya is an officer in the Indian Army [rank and regiment withheld]. A young officer, who is also an art enthusiast, studied in the hills of Dehradun, loving the mountains, the little temples on hilltops, trails, and the nature around him. Nature turned to him when days were rough, when the training went tough and when he needed the right amount of motivation. It was all here in nature that he found peace.
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