Guwahati, Sept. 6: Lack of initiative had deprived art lovers of the city from admiring the works of some of the greatest artists of the state. But now all that is set to change, as the Gallery Artists? Guild will organise a weeklong exhibition showcasing the works of four celebrated painters of the region.

The exhibition, beginning this month, will continue till December. The works of artists Lamodhar Hazarika, Hemangini Bordoloi, Madan Lahkar and Ramesh Chandra Ghosh have been chosen for the event. Altogether 20 paintings of each artist will be displayed. The exhibition will be organised in the third week of each month. ?All the four artists are masters in their own style and craft. But unfortunately their works were never exhibited for the art lovers of the city,? said Srimanta Jyoti Baruah, general secretary of the guild. ?The guild plans to fulfil the longstanding demand of art connoisseurs of the city.?

All the four exhibitions are part of the guild?s 29th anniversary celebrations. The guild has taken several steps to promote art in the state.

All the septuagenarian artists, except Hazarika, who passed away a few months back, have given their consent. The guild has also decided to felicitate Madan Lahkar, having already felicitated the other three. All the four artists have displayed their works in different international and national art forums. Hemangini Bordoloi, an alumnus of Shantiniketan, had exhibited her works in Japan during the sixties.?It feels nice to showcase my work in my own homeland,? said Bordoloi. ?I am thankful to the guild for organising such an event.?

Echoing Bordoloi, Ghosh said the guild?s initiative is indeed laudable. He also feels that showcasing the works of veteran artists would help the new generation get acquainted with the works of their predecessors.

?I am happy that we will now have a chance to see some of the finest works done by our veteran artists,? said an artist, Lutfa Akhtar.

?Since most of their paintings never got displayed, we have no knowledge of the kind of work they have done.?

Interactive sessions between artists of both generations will be part of the exhibitions.