KOCHI: A representation of feminity through art, this is what is conveyed by the group of works on display at Alliance de Francaise in the city. The installations titled ‘Alterbodies’ by city-based contemporary artist Sajitha R Sankar tries to look at a possibility of feminine ‘alterbody’ representation through her set of works. The artist attempts to celebrate feminity through her painting exhibition, inaugurated on International Women’s Day on the premises.
Abstract art at its best, each of the works look similar yet different at the same time. Using colours which are raw and natural, Sajitha has brought in a subtlety into her paintings, incorporating just tinges of feminine colours into her paintings. Elaborating on the nature of her works focussing on feminity, the artist says, “It has been purely an experimental and explorative art. From an autobiographical nature or style of paintings, my works have dealt with women and nature, gradually evolving over the years. ‘Alterbodies’ is an experimental piece which has evolved from earlier works, in which I have attempted to represent feminity at a level beyond gender and sexuality.”
According to the artist, ‘Alterbodies’ evolved from and is inspired from her earlier series of paintings on women emanicipation and reality. Sajitha’s experimental nature of work starts right from the canvas to the colours used. Adds Sajitha, “The paper has been fashioned from Banana stems and the colours are all fruit-based, including blueberry extracts which I took myself .”
Besides the around 20 paintings on display, a few installations were also showcased. Dealing with the same experimental theme through the installations, a board becomes the canvas for her works while a variety of sprouts become the medium. Points out the artist, “I originally looked at using moss, but zeroed in on Sprouts. I wanted to bring out a flow of energy through the medium. I have used a wide variety of seeds, including green gram and wheat.” Red acrylic is used to fill the space in the centre , completing the art installation
Sajitha Shankar is also the founder-director of a centre for art, the Gowri Art Institute at Kallar in Kerala. Some of her works are permanently displayed at the National Gallery of Modern Arts, Bangalore.