The one word you can use to describe the collection of paintings on display at the K C Panicker art gallery is subtle. Whether it is a work featuring a group of birds perched on a tree branch, or a squirrel exploring a tree, the canvas is not loaded with too much of shapes or colours.
The collection, by George Fernandez, proprietor and faculty member of Flora Institute of Arts and Crafts, uses a technique straight from the Orient. In the technique called the chinese brush painting or Shan-gri-la, the artwork is made from a number of intricate brush strokes.
Most of his brush sketches are done on a small canvas. George elaborates more on the brush stroke technique. He says, “The Chinese prefer subtle paintings with minimal colours. In these works, we find mostly pastel shades and the painting is usually done on paper or canvas.”
While most of his acrylic works are a series of brush strokes, others are a mix of brush strokes and the conventional painting technique.
Along with the fifty plus paintings displayed at the art gallery, Ikebana or Chinese art of flower arrangements are exhibited as well. A big piece of driftwood stands next to one such arrangement. “Whenever I find pieces of driftwood, I collect them for using in my flower arrangements.”
This is George’s 16th painting exhibition and his last one done with artificial colours. Added the artist, “Henceforth, I will be using natural colours for all my paintings.” He has also exhibited his paintings in Ernakulam, Bangalore and Mumbai.
The painting exhibition was inaugurated on Thursday by Minister M A Baby. The exhibition is on till Saturday.