The breaking boundaries exhibition was held in Dallas Texas from the 21st of August to 11th of September. The reception was on the 4th of September 2014. By walking through the exhibition, one could establish that the theme was nature as all the paintings had something to do with nature in the purest form. Watercolors are best used in the depiction of nature in a pure form.
A painting of the old building was done by Ramya. It has an old building which is surrounded by water and plants growing over it. It tells of life and the way people used to be in the past. However, it remains in the past and is now an impossible way of life. The painting depicts the mood of somberness and at the same time the beauty of life as it used to be then. The building looks like it was originally white but with time, has faded and has taken on a cream color, and some paintings are chipped. The building also look abandoned as it has clearly been flooded by water, and some plants are even growing in it. The doors are firmly closed, and it seems that it has been very long since a person was inside the building. The lighting of the photo is perfect. The elements in the painting take on their original colors as they exist in nature, and one gets the feeling that the past, although a beautiful place, is best-left in the past. People can choose to interpret the photo as they wish and according to their circumstances in life. The painting is surreal and very well depicted. To some people, it can be said to be self-explanatory yet others can decide to put deeper meanings into it (Chilvers).
The content of the painting includes an old building. The old building could be used to symbolize an old life or the past. The beauty of childhood and its simplicity. The building is white in color perhaps showing innocence of childhood (David). With time, life becomes complicated, and people get choked up trying to juggle between family and work. The weeds that are growing in the building may symbolize the things that make people forget the beauty of life and the innocence of childhood. These things may be work, school and maybe even problems such as health problems and financial problems. The water that fills the room is what gives the weeds some life. Without the water, the weeds may die. At the same time, the water may symbolize neglect. People stop caring for relationships as they try to get through life making money. Relationships become less important, or simply people do not get time for social calls.
The artist contributed to humanity by helping people to realize the things that they miss out on when they forget the simple pleasures of life. By concentrating on making money and living life, they forget that there are much simpler things that can be celebrated that do not require money. In this way, people can be able to stop and re-examine their lives and work on the beautiful things that they had forgotten (Shanes). Or maybe even just revisit parts of their past that they have long forgotten. They could also look within themselves and correct the mistakes they have made over time and attend to the areas of their lives they had neglected.
Works Cited
Chilvers, Ian. The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Book.
David, Brown. Watercolor Grove Art Online. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2014. Book.
Shanes, Eric. The Great Watercolors. Washington: Royal Academy of Arts, 2001. Book.
