Bhubaneswar, May 7: Hundreds of paintings and numerous sculptures and installations have been set up along the corridors and galleries of the city-based BK College of Art and Crafts.

The annual art exhibition of the college opened on Wednesday. Young artists who are being groomed at the college have displayed their creative skills in different genres of art in the exhibition.

Women and issues concerning them is a major theme in most of the paintings. While some have portrayed the social customs where women are forced to stay indoors, others have showcased the strength and fighting spirit of women.

Nature too has come up as a popular subject for painters as well as in drawings and sketches.

Landscapes of the state were beautifully captured in water colours as well as acrylic and oil.

A huge chappal whose sole is made out of marble along with rubber belts displayed at the art show was a huge attraction for art lovers who gathered at the college to see the exhibition. The installation created by Sushant Sahoo is a symbol of strength of the masses.

A few other sculptures depicted the emotions of animals and life on the streets. These too earned the appreciation of the visitors.

"I loved Lituna Swain's work that showed the curiosity of a street dog. In fact though the artists are still students, they have displayed great potential," said Sambit Upadhyay, a corporate employee who visited the event.

Over 200 works have found place in the exhibition that showcases the works of all students from first to fourth year of the college.

Many of art works were awarded at a programme held in the college today evening.

The works of art that had been awarded were showcased on the ground floor gallery while the works by the non-awardees were displayed at the conference gallery.

"This is the 29 edition of the annual exhibition hosted by our college. The event helps art lovers visit our college and give feedback to our artist students," said Meenaketan Patnaik, an artist as well as a lecturer at the college.