Harilal, Panchal Harilal
[012005086]

PANCHAL HARILAL

India
1942-

Saving the environment through art
Posted by: nt March 23, 2016 in Buzz

As an artist Panchal Harilal is not just conscious of his work, but also about his contribution to society and his surroundings. Known for his artworks made of rubbish, junk and trash, he is back in Goa for the third time with his collection of twenty nine works titled, ‘Clean India’. Ahead of his exhibition that will be held at the Art Gallery, Kala Academy from March 23 to March 25 from, speaking to NT BUZZ the artist talks about his efforts directed towards saving the environment as he enjoys playing with waste and bringing scrap to life in new dimensions to create sculptures in the environment.
Danuska Da Gama I NT BUZZ

Wealth out of waste is quite a common phrase used these days with reference to art and craft, but for Panchal Harilal from Vapi, Gujarat, collecting waste items has been on his to-do list since 1962.
“I always wanted to be different and with so much of waste material around us, which only seems to be increasing day by day, I decided that I would play with waste in my paintings,” says the artist, Harilal. He used to always find objects strewn on roadsides and other places and enjoyed giving them a new life, making new use of them and also creating a statement through his art work.

By reusing and repurposing objects I want to create awareness of keeping our surroundings clean and to spark creative minds to put to good use objects found around them, he says.
His abstract artworks contain metal, tubes, pipes, computer spare parts and industrial waste like fans and other materials.
While his works reflect poetic use of abandoned materials which is in a way a response to the global environmental issue that is being faced, he believes that his exhibition celebrates the achievements of a new generation. “It is after I find these materials I get inspired and create an abstract artwork and fit the material as planned. I use it aesthetically to bring out its functional potential,” says Hiralal.

At the beginning of his career he used recycled materials as they were free and also enabled him to experiment and express his ideas without worrying about making mistakes.
Although he was interested in ‘recycling’ concepts and environmental issues, he feels that back then these were secondary concerns; this has turned around now.
I can now afford to use new materials, but I choose waste and recycled materials because I am concerned about the environment, he says.

The other reason he chooses waste and discarded materials is because he says that used materials have their own unique identity and history in the form of marks, stains and scratches which new materials do not have. Having showcased his works at various solo and group exhibitions across the country and abroad he believes he is as much a brand ambassador for the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan campaign as Amitabh Bachchan.
I more rooted to society than Amitabh Bachchan. He gets paid for the campaign and I don’t think is so involved to clean India. I am through my work, I collect waste, use it for my art and create awareness in a unique way, he says.

Undoubtedly his works create a bold statement in trying to bring awareness. All those who view his works can discover beauty in scrap.
Twenty nine of his works done in oil paint have one or more waste items in the painting. His works are enlightening and creative.
My paintings are also a reflection for humans to ponder upon, to evaluate reasons for throwing away items that are found or used. There are always useful ways to repurpose objects in our lives with little effort, he concludes.

Clean India – paintings by Panchal Hiralal will be open for viewing at the Art Gallery, Kala Academy, from today, March 23 to Friday March 25 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

NCR TRIBUNE STORIES:
Friday, September 6, 2002, Chandigarh, India

ART SCAPE:
He sees beauty in scrap and makes it come alive, by
Garima Pant

His paintings are called Spirit of Scrap and he loves scrap. Any type of waste material, either from industrial or domestic activity, is utilised by him, seeking to reach a balance with nature through the consumption of such wastes. This scrap is fixed on a board and turned into a painting with a thoughtful combination of colour and geometry.
Meet Panchal Harilal, who works with the medium of scrap and had his work on display at the Lalit Kala Academy.

He began his career about 40 years ago as a signboard artist and used only his spare time to dip into paints and colours.
It was the beginning of an illustrious career and that is still evolving.

As an additional and extended activity to his scrap paintings, he also creates sculptures out of industrial waste materials to harmonise industry with environment. He has travelled the length and breadth of the country and has been widely acclaimed and appreciated for his splendid efforts. His work is a mix of both decorative pieces and deep meditative tone. One of his very popular subjects is Ganesha, a very well-known deity of Gujarat and Maharastra.

His efforts can be regarded as a very noble one as he is trying to do something unique, which is not only aesthetically appealing but also has a stately cause attached to it, and that is also spreading awareness about our environment. He is contributing to the efforts of beautification of our environment and deserves appreciation from one and all.

See link: http://www.navhindtimes.in/saving-the-environment-through-ar-
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