From women empowerment, human behaviour to Indian mythology, over 50 paintings with strong social messages have been put on display at Off the Wall art gallery in Sakchi.

Twenty-three artists from Calcutta-based group Thinker’s Era and two from Jamshedpur have displayed their paintings at the four-day exhibition titled ‘26 Beautiful Minds’, which will conclude on Wednesday.

“The exhibition is giving an opportunity to fine arts students to learn nuances of painting from professional artists in Calcutta,” said artist and one of co-ordinators Anupam Pal.

In another event, about 30 local artists and craftsmen took part in a three-day art workshop-cum-exhibition, which concluded at Rabindra Bhavan on Tuesday.

Organised by Tagore School of Fine Arts, a wing of Tagore Society, the workshop gave a platform to artists to paint their imaginations under the winter sun.

The workshop is being held since 1996 to promote visual art in the steel city and bring students, teachers and artists on a single platform. Teachers of Tagore School of Arts and other city-based artists displayed their creations at the workshop.

“Off late more and more art exhibitions are being held in Jamshedpur, which speaks volumes about people’s rising interest in art. There are galleries where paintings are being sold at affordable rates. Recently Tata Steel also organised a 12-day art camp. Here at the workshop, professionals, teachers and students are all coming together on a single platform to share their love for art,” said senior artist Jaidev Chatterjee.

All the artwork and sculptures will be showcased at an exhibition during the annual Rabindrasangeet conference at Rabindra Bhavan next month.

“I don’t understand art too much, but it is always such a pleasure to see all these lovely colours. I am more into figurative paintings as I don’t relate to abstract. I liked the modern Durga painted by Prabir Shaw. I think paintings can also be very nice presents,” said Shaony Lahiri, an art lover and a marketing professional who visited the art camp.

An artist painting at the workshop-cum-exhibition at Rabindra Bhavan in Jamshedpur Picture by Bhola Prasad