Cynde Roof had rightly said, “It takes two people to enjoy a painting. The artist writes his story and the art patron reads the work”. This indeed held true at the outdoor Himachal Art Festival held at the historic Ridge, where one could see both the artist and the audience absorbed in works of art.

The four-day festival was organised by the Department of Language, Art and Culture from 24 April. The musings of the artist and the art patron found a larger audience in the tranquil milieu of the Shimla hills. The event turned out to be a celebration of art.

The festival offered artists from a diverse range the opportunity to converge and connect to a larger audience. They displayed art in a fascinating and thought-provoking manner, enabling a dialogue between the artist and the viewer.

Since last year, April 24 has been earmarked for the festival. The event enables the artist to break free from the confines of art galleries. The festival is also aimed at bringing about cultural exchanges, exchange of ideas and art techniques.

“As many as 122 people participated in the event, including 15 senior artists, 97 students from various states and 10 miniature painting artists. Students range from school students to those who are pursuing fine arts,” said Language Art and Culture Joint Director Rakesh Korla.

The department strives to build recognition for art among the public and also provides a platform to budding young artists of the state, he added.

The art work was marked by an abundance of colour and exuded freshness and youthful vigour. Some of the pieces radiated creativity,  stemming from their surroundings and life experiences.

The paintings that caught the attention of one and all were those highlighting the quest for peace, and depicting the current stress and pressure that people are exposed to.

Amit Debnath from Kolkata used a subtle colour scheme to portray stress. “I am participating in the event for the first time. The venue is in picturesque Shimla with a beautiful view. It filled me with peace. My painting reflects ‘Mental Pressure’, as mental health has now emerged as a global problem and even World Health Organisation, as well as UNESCO, have raised serious concerns over the mental burden,” said Debnath.

“Such festivals provide a platform where the artist and the audience are in direct contact enabling the artist to communicate a message to the viewer so that he can hold a dialogue with the creator. Besides, working with so many artists also helps in building confidence,” said Angelica Basak from Delhi, who is pursing MA in Fine Arts from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU).

“Art acts as a bridge between different cultural outlooks leading to interaction of ideas,” said Agaba Davis from Uganda, who is also a student of HPU. Her painting filled with vibrant colours depicted pursuit of happiness in the midst of silence.

On the last day the festival saw an on the spot entry of a London citizen, who was on a visit to Shimla. “The standard of art produced here is fantastic which is enlightening. It is an inspirational experience for me to get to participate in such a colourful event,” said Surinder Kaur Landa, an art teacher in London.