Intangible Treasures

Following successful  exhibitions of Sisir Sahana’s glass sculptures titled ‘Frozen Unfrozen Silence’ in 2007, ‘Herbs Within’ in 2010, ‘Dialogue with Soil ‘ in 2020, Forum Art Gallery presents Sisir Sahana’s sculptures in glass titled ‘Intangible Treasures.’

Sisir Sahana opines that

“There is no critical story behind the artworks; it is my simple expression of art in glass”.

Having said that the viewer confronts a complex narrative that has more depth than what’s visible on the surface. Treasures are objects of value that vary according to the context in which they are perceived. Intangible treasures are those that cannot be measured. What is not quantifiable by the naked eye, one can only infer by past experiences, references and associations and not affirm by sight.

Sisir Sahana explores the intangible resources of humankind and the tangible natural phenomenon embedded in nature. In any visual form of expression, physical wealth comprising of intellectual, strength, growth and skill to name a few, find expression through references or metaphors. In his sculptures the organic interfaces fused or cast together evolve as the material takes shape, from the intangible to the tangible. The lyrical shapes converse with light and are bathed in a translucency that mystifies the optical illusion of the subject.

Glass as a medium lends itself to such layered expressions. Cast and fused glass allows an infinite number of different trajectories to flow through them, connecting multiple domains.

The dexterity and skill of medium acquired by the artist through practice and international exposure engages perception from the viewer. Reconstructing the imagery becomes an individualised pursuit based on prior experience engaging one’s emotions. To seek out the treasures embedded within as revealed or concealed by the artist is a process of removing the various lens that influence our vision. The treasure we find at the end is our own edition.