Sakena Begg, a prolific artist from Bengaluru, has ingeniously intertwined her passion for canines, her enthusiasm for art, and her dedication to teaching, creating an impactful social initiative. Her debut exhibition, “An Art Tribute,” recently concluded to resounding success. This exhibition showcased a diverse array of creative expressions, including paintings, mugs, and postcards, all centered around the theme of canines.
The venue boasted an impressive display of 75 exhibits, featuring vibrant watercolours and mixed media artworks that filled the space with engaging imagery of her beloved neighborhood dogs. As an experienced art facilitator and a devoted animal caretaker, Sakena has been teaching art to children aged four and above for over a decade. Her initiative, “The Little Art Class in Town,” serves as an inspiring creative space where children are encouraged to express themselves spontaneously through enjoyable and stimulating art classes. These young budding artists are introduced to the art world at an early age, learning to work with various materials, processes, and techniques, fostering their creativity and observational skills.
Recollecting the genesis of her first exhibition, Sakena remarked, “It was my students who suggested organizing an exhibition given my extensive collection of canine-themed paintings. Their enthusiasm was evident as they took the lead in organizing the event, with one of the students even offering their home to be used as the gallery for the display.”
Rohan Srinivas, a 7th-grade student who has been attending her sessions for nearly seven years, shared, “After our classes, Sakena often relaxes by watching TV and sketching dogs. We noticed her growing collection and thought an exhibition would be a fantastic idea.” Rohan added that planning and executing the exhibition took about a month.
The event became more than just an exhibition; it served as a unique bonding opportunity for the community and her students. “From offering the venue, setting up the artwork, to managing billing and hosting the guests, my students handled everything independently,” Sakena proudly mentioned.
. “An Art Tribute” was also conceptualized as a fundraiser specifically aimed at rescuing dogs. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Frazer Canine Squad, an organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating stray canines.
Financially, the initiatives saw pieces priced between ₹100 to ₹4,000, and by the end of the exhibition, approximately 60% of the artwork was sold. This significant contribution assisted the Frazer Canine Squad in continuing their invaluable work.
Elaborating on the crucial role of rescue squads in Bengaluru, Sakena said, “We have rescue squads operating throughout the city, each branching out from a central hub. It’s important to ensure coordination so that multiple ambulances do not redundantly respond to the same rescue call.”
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sakena’s commitment to animal welfare became even more pronounced. She began collaborating with an animal rescue group in her Cooke Town neighborhood, leveraging her artistic talents to raise funds for the care and rehabilitation of street dogs. She committed to creating one sketch every day, demonstrating her dedication to improving the lives of these animals.
Though “An Art Tribute” may have concluded, Sakena continues to create custom art pieces upon request through her social media handle (@sakenabegg). The proceeds from these orders are directed to the hospital where the animals are treated, through partnerships with rescue organizations like the Frazer Canine Squad.
Sakena’s story exemplifies how artistic talent can be harnessed for greater good, merging creativity with compassion to foster community involvement and address social causes. Her initiative not only instills the values of empathy and responsibility in her students but also highlights the significant role of art in mobilizing support for animal welfare. As Sakena continues to receive appreciation and orders for her work, the ripple effect of her exhibition carries on, demonstrating the enduring power of art in instigating positive social change.
