BENGALURU: Over the years, artist S G Vasudev has explored various mediums including drawing, painting, reliefs in copper and tapestries in silk.
He became well-known for his “Vriksha” (Tree of Life) series which has evolved for nearly a decade. He explored the theme of “Maithuna” (Act of Love) through a series of drawings, paintings and copper reliefs. Eventually his tree grew into faces titled “Humanscapes” and “Earthscapes”. A painting of a humanscape took form to his first tapestry work.
With subtlety in his tones and vibrancy in his colours, he puts imagination to his work. He is displaying 20 select tapestries from his collection of about 45 at Gallery Sumukha. These portray different imageries such as earthscape, tree of life and Maithuna.
Vasudev believes there is a thin line between art and craft. He asks, “What do we call the person who built Mahableshwar? An artist or a craftsman? That’s how I got the idea of working with craftsmen. I realised I could create something if I collaborate with them. During my travel abroad, I observed tapestries of Picasso and Braque. I saw them in the corporate houses and banks.”
During his visit to MF Hussain’s studio in the city, he saw the tapestry works and enquired about the weaver.
That’s how he collaborated with Subbarayalu about 25 years ago.
He says, “When I met Subbarayalu, we decided to first try with a small tapestry. I understood the complications in the medium. After six months, he said he would like to work with me. But he laid a few conditions. He said I mix lot of colours and that makes the work complicated. He assured that he would do his best but needs ample time. He asked me not to paint for tapestry, as that would make his work easier. It was a good thing for a craftsman to say. Hence, began our collaboration.”
He says he never thinks of tapestry while painting. “I keep photographs of all my work. So even if I do not have the original painting, I will have a print. In tapestries, textures are different. I have hung my tapestry here so the people can see the back of it as well. It looks like a painting.”
He says he has had to modify his painting while weaving a tapestry. “In my painting, it would be dark red, but in tapestry, it could be a lighter shade. These depend on the availability of threads. Sometimes, when threads are not available, we dye to get the colours we want.”
The dimensions are also changed. “One thing about the loom is that it cannot be over 45 inch wide. So, I keep my work within 40 inches width. My painting of Ganesha was almost half of the size of its tapestry. If you turn this tapestry upside down, it would look like a tree trunk.” Calling it accidental effects, he says, “Such techniques give me idea for my next work.”
The process of making a tapestry can be long. It takes at least three to four months to make one, says Vasudev.
Stressing on the importance of collaborating with the craftsmen, he says, “In India, craftsmen are not given enough importance. They have great skills and if given opportunities, they can do many things. Also, it changes your perspective of art and you feel close to India, rather than being influenced by the West.”
Kannada poetry, theatre and literature inspires the art in him. “I am lucky to have met people like Girish Karnad and A K Ramanujan. I feel somewhere rooted in my culture.”
Painted Weaves, an exhibition of tapestries in silk, by S G Vasudev is being showcased at Gallery Sumukha until March 4.