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The Hindu : Painter Kisalay Vora’s imagination soared when his orator-father told him stories of mythology and history, which he in turn would reproduce visually, as he grew up to become an artist.The Bombay-based artist from Gujarat and J.J. School of Arts alumnus who was recently in the city, surprisingly, was not here to promote his works of art through an exhibition or a fancy inaugural but was here as the ‘non-commercial’ artist.To further his stand: “I am here to promote public art – to find out more about young commercial artists and invite them to paint with me for a public cause.”Why would a commercially successful artist, who sells his paintings for two to five lakh, and has the freedom to paint his own style, want to emphasise on public art?“I think that as an artist, I should give back to society what it gave to me.” He adds: “Every artist should remember where art came from and what he or she went out in the world to become an artist for — to re-communicate.”He feels that art has a timeless value to it, rather than what it has become today — one measured by monetary success. “Stone Age artists painted and carved for the very essence of art and that’s what I am here for.”He stresses, “When a lay person looks at a painting, I think the important chord that should be struck is of the reality of art. It should not be relegated to some philosophy, but rather, be an extension of creative energy and life.”Also, he feels that it’s baseless to talk of lines and strokes in art and comment on its usage. “Lines are used to guide, not divide art forms”.“I don’t differentiate good art from bad. I don’t believe that some paintings are good or bad,” says the former advertising professional about cases of vandalising art in the name of religion.Kisalay, who…More