Visitors take a look at the artworks on display at the IAFA exhibition in Amritsar. Photo: Sunil Kumar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 21

The annual edition of Indian Academy of Fine Arts (IAFA) state art exhibition was inaugurated today at art gallery by Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira. The seventh edition of the exhibition had got delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdown.

Arvinder Chamak, general secretary, IAFA said the event was supposed to be held in March but since the lockdown was announced, it got deferred indefinitely.

Visitors take a look at the artworks on display at the IAFA exhibition in Amritsar. photo: Sunil Kumar

“We are glad that the event was held within this year as a number of artists participate in the exhibition editions every year. This year 147 art works from different genres, including sculpture, painting, photography, mural and digital art forms have been featured in the exhibition. This year 145 artists are participating in the exhibition, despite the logistical challenge due to the pandemic,” he said.

The inaugural day also saw prizes being awarded to artists in different categories. Gurpeet Singh from Khanna was given a cash prize of Rs 21,000 for his winning entry that was drawing. Alka Chadha Harplani from Ludhiana won the award for excellence for her painting and arts student Vatsala Sharma from Jallandhar won the cash prize of Rs 11,000 in graphic art genre. Budding artist Sumit from Jalandhar won the award of excellence in amateur category for his painting.

“It was a relief that the exhibition was held keeping in mind the new Covid-19 health guidelines. To have a live at exhibit after so many months of uncertainty is encouraging for young artists who found it hard to survive and sustain their art during lockdown,” said Sumit.

Shivdev Singh, president, S G Thakar Singh Art Gallery, said the exhibition would be open till December 5 from 10 am to 6 pm.

Artists felicitated on inaugural day

The inaugural day saw prizes being awarded to artists in different categories. Gurpeet Singh from Khanna was given a cash prize of Rs21,000 for his winning entry. Alka Chadha Harplani, an artist from Ludhiana, won the award for excellence for her painting and arts student Vatsala Sharma from Jallandhar won the cash prize of Rs11,000 in the graphic art genre. A budding artist Sumit from Jalandhar also won the Award of Excellence in the amateur category during the annual edition of Indian Academy of Fine Arts state art exhibition.