It is often said that life is only a moment between birth and death. Woven in the realm of the abstract, Singapore-based artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu’s new series of paintings, Strata Morphosis, tries to capture the spirit of life that defies death. “Strata Morphosis is based on the idea of change and the layers that are gathered through the cycle of life. A new life is a plain canvas that is literally painted on by our experiences and surroundings,” says the former faculty of NIFT (New Delhi), whose works are on display for the first time in Kerala at OED Art Gallery, Mattancherry.
Bound in time
Created as a tribute to her mother, the artist’s inspiration for the current series stems from the marks of time left behind on various surfaces—be it a shriveled up tree trunk or oxidised copper. With more than 300 paintings done in a range of mediums including pencil, charcoal, acrylic and watercolor, Mohanbabu’s series showcases different elements—from crashing waves to the mesmerising beauty of rusting iron—all of which trace the beauty of natural decay and disintegration through a rather dark choice of colours.
Seeking variety
From her illustrations in WHO’s magazines on disability to working with renowned designers in the country like Tarun Tahiliani and JJ Vallaya, this trained fashion designer and architect’s career has been anything but monotonous so far. “I like to challenge myself. Currently, I am working on a series of geometrics based on interactions and the concept of Yin and Yang,” concludes Mohanbabu.Till February 10.
Details : 9447108011