CHENNAI: If you are looking for some art therapy or just some aesthetic inspiration, head to Lalit Kala Akademi. The final year students of the Department of Fine Arts, Stella Maris College, have presented 'Tessellate’, an art and design exhibition, as part of their final year project. We were floored by the oh-so-amazing display of artwork. “All of us have worked really hard for this exhibition. This is our first step into the real world art scene,” said a group of students, who were brimming with excitement, during the inauguration.
The exhibition was inaugurated by city-based artist Parvathi Nayar and Alexander Zachariah, CEO, Rubecon. Parvathi who is also an alumna of the department reminisced, “It reminds me of of my final year exhibition. I distinctly remember standing in one corner, looking at the chief guest and wondering how it would be to stand in the shoes and live the life of an artist.”
Emphasising the students to stay inspired and be relevant to their dreams, she added, “As we travel, the destination keeps changing. It's transitional...and it takes a brave person to go up the path of creativity.” Alexander concurred. “Every year when I visit the final year exhibition, I see how things are moving forward and I get inspired by the work. I love the change, especially how a lot of personal expressions have come into graphics. It's very heartening to see that.”
A quick walk around the two-floors in the gallery opens us to an array of art and design work which challenge consumer culture, voyeurism, body shaming, mental illness and road kill. Rhea Febin’s ‘Museum of leftovers’ grabbed our attention. The series had art created from discarded, redundant and now purposeless objects like cassettes, floppy disks, old keys and what not! “We constantly dispose things at an alarming volume and those become the leftovers of consumerist culture. I have juxtaposed them with things that have lived out their purpose but still have an emotional value,” she said pointing to diary entries, vintage family photographs, and even her mother's wedding shoe, that have all been interspersed in the exhibit.
Among cute baby clothes, hand painted golu inspired paper dolls and lanterns, hand printed clothes and a plethora of other decor, garments and brand identity products, tactile books by Munira Sadiq and Teresa Antony stood apart. “I think this is the need of the hour. Everyone should have access to good books and why should children with special needs be left out? These books will go a long way in helping them develop literacy skills. This is what I want to work on,” said Munira.
(The exhibition will be open until April 17, 7pm at Lalit Kala Akademi)