CHENNAI: He paints on anything he finds feasible. Meet E Joel Fertician, a local art teacher who recently celebrated Madras Week on 10 banana leaves and 11 mud pots. There are those who explore their creativity on canvas and showcase an exhibition, and then there are artists who find a canvas in everything they see, hoping to put up an exhibition someday soon. This is Joel’s story.
Sitting among the pots and banana leaves, he tells us, “I did a lot of research and chose the harbour, the beach, Kapaleeswarar Temple, St Peters Church and many other heritage sites that have been popular for several hundred years,” says Joel, who is also a teacher at Springfield Higher Secondary School. “Art is my passion.”
We wonder how difficult it would have been to draw and paint on something as fragile as a leaf and sure enough he says, “It was a struggle. I would almost give up each time the banana leaf tore due to the pressure applied while making a sketch on it. Gradually, I understood that it just required a lot of patience and that I had to do it slowly. I took five days to finish each leaf.”
Inspired by anything that could turn into a canvas, Joel has also painted on bulbs and bamboo sticks. “To paint inside the bulb, I had to tie two double zero brushes with a thread to make it long enough. It was quite a challenge and required skill. The bamboo stick, holds the life sequence of APJ Abdul Kalam, from his childhood till the end. His birth anniversary is coming up and this painting is a tribute to him.”
Born in Tiruchy, Joel came to Chennai to study art in University of Madras and has been in the city ever since. He is known as Joel — The Painter in the Chief Minister’s office. “I made a life sequence painting of our Chief Minister on a mud pot. When I went there, I was confused on how to approach. There were over four gates! Someone saw the painting and liked it. He ushered me in. Though I couldn’t see the CM, I received a letter from her,” he smiles.
During his travel in the city, his eyes look for objects to paint on. With passion to learn and teach, Joel also hopes to be recognised and get an opportunity to exhibit his art works.
(For details, call Joel at 9944847804)