'Art is freedom that brings people together'

Our Correspondent

Kohima, April 12 (EMN): Adela Moa, the director of Art and Culture, Nagaland on Tuesday said that art represents freedom, as it is highly expressive and creative, adding that it brings people together.

She was addressing the two-day ‘Art Festival’, organised by Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) in collaboration with Visual Artists of Nagaland ahead of World Art Day (April 15) celebration at Old NST Complex in Kohima.

Speaking as the special guest, she asserted that unlike other forms of expression, Art does not have laid-down regulations or boundaries and artists can express their feelings and ideas by using different lines and curves, forms, figures and colours including various materials and mediums to convey their perceptions to the world.

The director also commended TaFMA for coming up with the event, which will provide the artists community a platform to showcase their works and talents, which will in turn boost and encourage them.

She further advised the artists to grab the opportunity to interact and connect with one another and learn which will result in expanding their creativity.

Also speaking at the programme, Art and Drama educator, Cynthia Kolakhe stated that World Art Day is a celebration to promote the development, diffusion and enjoyment of art, as proclaimed at the 40th session of Unesco’s General Conference in 2019.

She informed that the event is being pre-poned, as April 15 falls on Good Friday, while stating that the celebration helps in reinforcing the links between artistic expressions and highlights the contributions of artists to sustainable development.

‘It is also an occasion to shine light on arts education in schools, as culture can pave way for inclusive and equitable education’, Kolakhe said.

She added that during the two-day event, 10 visual artists will be presenting painting demonstrations followed by Art competition, interaction between amateur and professional artist, including exhibition and sale of artworks on the last day of the festival.

Earlier welcome address was delivered by project director of TaFMA, Dr. Hovithal Sothu, while the special guest launched the festival in the presence of advisor of TaFMA, Theja Meru, officials of Art and Culture department, TaFMA artists and students.