Kadri Rocks, the new art gallery that opened on Kadri Kambla Road on Sunday, gives the feel of art with a touch of heritage.
The first exhibition that catches the eye of the visitor is a canopy of Mangalore tiles at the entrance that has old wooden carvings all round.
Entering inside, there is a statue of Buddha that leads to an old thick wooden entrance door which leads inside the building belonging to Harsha D’Souza.
It’s here, and in the spacious green lawn, that he has creatively arranged artefacts, which includes paintings, pottery, earthenware and artisan products.
Love for art
Mr. D’Souza, an insurance surveyor, who is also an artist, said its his love for the art which made him convert his old house into an art gallery. “Art can flourish only when there’s an encouraging environment,” he said.
Mr. D’Souza said it took four years for him to renovate his old house using antiquities and heritage items sourced from houses in the district.
He has also arranged pottery, earthenware, and several artisan products that he collected during his visits across the country.
Amid these items, paintings of artists, such as Sapna Norohna and S.P. Hugar, have been arranged.
The lush green area around the house has been given a new look with a fountain and a fish pond with a wooden overbridge.
There is also an old well with a wooden pulley, an imitation cannon, a tall sculpted granite lamp, a mermaid sculpture, and a vertical granite monument-fountain in the lawn.
“This environment serves well for us to come out with a good art form,” said artist Ganesh Somayaji.
Mr. Somayaji was among the 30 artists from Karavali Chitakala Chavadi who took part in the art camp held at Kadri Rocks on Sunday.
Among the artists who attended included Dinesh Holla, Ms. Noronha, John Chandran and Mr. Hugar.