THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The mural yields to Suguna’s experiments in a refreshing way. The stringent colour palette and artistic repertoire of this traditional art are explored in her paintings with the academic interest of a researcher. Unusual representations like Lord Buddha and Kathakali are yoked to the mural style with a winning ease on the canvas of this Thiruvananthapuram-based artist who is holding a solo exhibition of mural paintings at the Russian Cultural Centre.
Employed in the Chief General Manager Office of BSNL, Thiruvananthapuram, Suguna took to painting at a very early age. Suguna has never had a professional training in painting or drawing. Tutoring herself on a trial and error method, she polished her skill to master glass painting and mural painting, even while juggling the roles of a homemaker and career woman.
“I had always kept up my penchant for drawing and painting, finding time to do pencil sketching even in the thick of my responsibilities at home and office. The glass paintings that I started out with were childish,’’ she says.
Soon, her glass paintings graduated to murals. In the beginning, her canvas was populated by the figures of gods and goddesses, traditionally seen in murals. Gradually, she introduced unconventional images into her paintings while abiding by the basic rules of mural. “I copied the images of Attukal Devi, Kumaranalloor Devi and Jesus Christ on to the canvas. It was also my wish to paint a mural of Lord Buddha which I have displayed here,” she says. Jesus Christ on the cross, and the scene of the Last Supper find representation in the mural style too.
Apart from the predominant green and yellow, her paintings are also decorated with more experimental shades of blue and red. Images on glass and terracotta are also on display.
Suguna is married to Rajan, planning officer with the Medical Education Department, and they have two sons, Visakh and Vineeth. With the support of her family and the positive feedback from the public, Suguna hopes to continue her artistic pursuits in the days to come. The exhibition closes on Tuesday.