The Assertion

painting by artist Bargode displayed at the PRADYOT ART GALLERY - Ratnagiri.

The painting, with its vibrant green background, strikingly captures a stylized moment between two fish and a cat. The top fish, a vivid reddish-orange with a piercing red eye, commands attention, while a larger, soft pinkish-orange fish gracefully swims beneath it. Both are nestled among white, leaf-like shapes that evoke delicate aquatic plants. At the bottom, a large, pristine white cat is poised, its head tilted upwards, its gaze fixed on the fish above – a silent, charged observation.
The simplicity of the art style, characterized by clear outlines and solid blocks of color, perhaps indicative of a young artist's hand, belies the complex emotions it evokes. While I hold no animosity towards cats, maintaining a comfortable indifference, my affection for fish runs deep. The very thought of a fish drifting endlessly in the vastness of the sea has always resonated with me, symbolizing a profound sense of liberty and unburdened joy. Though keenly aware of the realities of marine life and the inherent protest of prey against the food chain, this particular painting stirred a surprising discomfort within me. A distinct twitch, an almost primal urge to intervene, to halt the impending moment as if the cat were on the verge of plunging into the pond. The painting's dynamic interplay of simplicity and color, despite its playful aesthetic, creates a tension that powerfully resonates with my deep-seated connection to the serene, unfettered existence I imagine for my beloved fish.

Pratyush Chaudhuri 

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