Ilaiyaraaja’s music helps me synchronise my art: Artist Vadivel

CHENNAI: Coming from a lineage of Temple stapathis and artists, it is evident where C V Vadivel gets his artistic intuitions. A contemporary painter, sculptor and a set director, he sure has a variety of feathers on his cap. He has also been awarded the Tamil Nadu Oviya Nunkalai Kuzhu’s Traditional Sculpture Award. CE catches up with the versatile artist during his eighth solo exhibition, running till April 30 at La Galerie D’Expression, Hotel Ambassador Pallava.

You graduated in graduate in political science. How did you get interested in art?

That comes from seeing my father’s works. I started pen and ink as a hobby when I was 10. He encouraged me to practice every day. Later, my father-in-law was also an inspiration — he was a veteran art director for MGR films and also made the Avvaiyar statue on Marina beach. My first solo exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi in 1996 was a huge success and that made me take up art professionally. The first painting I sold was on the second day of the exhibition.

How do you think you have evolved as an artist since then?

I always concentrate more on the composition, about the fore, mid and background and how it was all balanced together, while the rest of the things came spontaneously. I was keen towards abstracts, but for the past 15 years I’m working on towards a more figurative style — with thick and think strokes and flamboyant colours.

You write books too?

Yes, mostly books on art in Tamil. One of my books, Oviya Nunkalai, is now included in the syllabus of Tamil Arts and Crafts college. I have also written a book on Dravidian architecture — Oliyan Sigarangal — a book on how stapathis worked during the Chola and Pallava period. I’m planning to write about the complete Indian political thought on democracy — the prelude is done. I wanted to pass on my experience to the world and thought of starting a class. But then, I realised with books I can reach out to more people.

What do you think about the art scene in Chennai?

It’s progressing there are many colleges offering courses on various forms of both performing and visual art. There is a lot scope for everyone. I find many people coming from arts and crafts colleges to ad film set direction. Though there are many good artists here, there are only a few who actually appreciate and spend on art. The art scene in Bengaluru and Delhi is more developed. Maybe if more art galleries come up, it will get better.

How do you decide the theme for a figurative style of art?

It comes spontaneously to me, when I pick up a canvas and decide a medium. Mostly, I work on both rural and urban themes. I see many works of foreign artists but my intuition is only towards my own culture. For instance, the fishing boats scene is something I see often in Rameswaram and Thootukodi, and that’s where I got inspired from.

Any advice to upcoming artists?

There are many types of art and there should be a natural instinct to pursue it without any compulsion. It’s important to visit exhibitions and observe other artists’ works. The important thing is to keep in touch with painting. And develop a mindful observation — of both content and form. For example, when you see a crowded street in T Nagar, you need to come home and bring that out image on a paper.