An Art Bonanza
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: According to Pablo Picasso removing all traces of reality from art is what makes it abstract. With absolutely no rules to follow, abstract art has easily superseded all the other art schools across the globe, and languidly entered Indian art scene with panache. Bringing thirty doyens of Indian contemporary art under one roof, VAM Art Inc., an art promotion group, is organising ‘Convergence’, an exhibition of modern and contemporary Indian Art, at Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan.
Indian post-colonial era has witnessed a sea change in the art scene with artists turning intellectuals with clear-cut ideologies. This also earmarked art’s evolution from sheer eye candy to a strong visual cacophony. The artists (or progressive painters as they liked to be called), who emerged during this era had vehemently put on the robes of activists and transcended strong social messages through their oeuvres. South Indian art was no different. KCS Panicker, the brain behind Cholamandal Artists’ village, had inspired talents like Kanayi Kunhiraman, MV Devan, Yusuf Arakkal, and many other known names in the South Indian art circuit. He contributed largely to Indian art with his refreshingly innovative style. Ravi Varma’s replicas were thronging Kerala art scene till then. Cut to Vyloppilly and you could see glimpses of Panicker, not his works, but his reflections, in the exemplary works exhibited here.
Hallowed in a shimmering yellow light, he is playing his guitar. Untouched by the darkness looming around him. The roots swarming the world are writhing in pain while he sings a melancholic raga. ‘In Memory of my lost friend’, Bhagyanath C’s series is his elegy to a most beloved musician friend, who succumbed to cancer.
Not many would know Kanayi Kunhiraman, the painter, as his name is synonymous with the ethereal sky-kissing sculptures scattered around Kerala shores. By skillfully throwing a brick or two in his signature style on an untitled acrylic work, Kanayi is flaunting his brushwork at ‘Convergence’.
Sitting on the windowpane a flower vase, dripping with red, looks up to the flying kite. The red string steering the kite seems near. Yusuf Arakkal’s penchant for brown comes across in both his untitled work. Brown serves as the apt backdrop for the scarlet flowers.
With her copper Chariot, the only sculpture in the psychedelic world of paints, Anila Jacob stands out. The cock riding carriage and its rider thus become a vision to watch out.
With his lovable candour and spellbinding creations late CN Karunakaran had conquered Malayali hearts many years ago. Convergence lets you experience his exceptional creations once more.
Capital city’s pride, BD Dethan is exhibiting one of his works from his latest series ‘Avastha’ (state). The painting depicts the plight of humankind through simple yet strong metaphors.
In around six surrealistic black and white sketches Muthukoya NKP, delves deep into the morbid society where the dichotomy is prevalent. His pointing finger is sure to pierce through your conscience for many years to come.
Except Anila Jacob, who has been prevalent in the art field for more than forty years, the other women painters exhibiting here - Remya Sandeep, Rani Rekha and Babitha Kadannappally - belong to the latest crop of contemporary artists.
Remya’s ‘Wings on the wall’ delineates the life of a feisty woman, whose wings are put to no use. Remya’s portrayal of a helpless woman is sure to catch you off-guard.
‘GRS – Lost Address’ – Rani Rekha strokes the modern woman’s life entangled in Google Maps, mobile apps (WhatsApp) and social networking sites in her work. Many a time their identity is lost in this hassle.
The plight of destitute children and their yearning for playthings are deftly etched in Srilal K’s ‘Twilight Toys’. The saturated tint gives the painting a 3-d effect.
Prashant Salvi, a Mumbai-based artist is exhibiting his ‘Crown and Jaguar’, a black and white portrayal of aristocracy, here. Pratul Dash from Delhi, Birendra Pani from Odissa, Prashant Salvi from Maharashtra are the other Non-Keralites participating in the show.
Ajaya Kumar’s ‘Museum of Gold’, Ajith Kumar G’s ‘Nishagandhi’, Rimzon NN’s ‘Tree with a Hole’, Murali Cheeroth’s ‘Untitled work’, Tensing Joseph’s ‘Gravity of Faith’, Vasudev SG’s ‘Landscape’, Rajan M Krishnan’s ‘Little painting of Vanity’ and Gopinath P’s ‘Untitled’ are the other notable works being exhibited in the show.
The show which is on till August 29, was inaugurated by Cultural Minister KC Joseph.