KOCHI: Nature has always been the subject for artist K R Babu. Having dabbled in the field of art for over 20 years now, the Kozhikode-based painter was in the capital city for a solo exhibition at Alliance Francaise here.Titled ‘Technicolour Muse’, the collection of around 20 acrylic paintings appear to be strikingly creative, with stylised versions of never-seen-before birds, animals, trees and even people who seem to be merging with nature. Transporting you to a different world, the works on canvas seem to have layers of hidden connotations. While some of the acrylic works portray trees bearing extraordinary looking fruits, others show people and animals merging with the symbols of nature.
The artist points to one of his works, a modern interpretation according to him, showing a woman decked up in funky pieces of accessories. However soon you find the image overlapping with paintings of withered flowers and mushrooming flats. Adds Babu, “An artist is someone who can create something new. I attempt to create my own stylised versions of nature through my works. Nature has always been a part of my works, while I had once done a series only on animals.”
Starting with traditional mural paintings, Babu has worked with different mediums namely watercolours, oil, pastels and charcoal, finally zeroing in on acrylic, as he feels ‘the medium seems effortless to work in’. Speaking on his preferred mode of stylised paintings, the artist states, “Though I started with traditional mural paintings, I have broken from the path and have tried to create a new style of acrylic paintings using elements of mural art.”Babu, who has received the Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award three times, has finally embraced art as a full-time passion.
A former HoD in Kozhikode, he has recently quit his job to pursue his interest. For Babu, his profession had come in the way of his passion, confining his creativity. He adds, “I felt that I could no longer make creative contributions from my side whereas now I feel I have the freedom to work at my own pace.”
The artist has conducted many group and solo painting exhibitions in his hometown as well as other cities like Kochi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and so on.The solo exhibition which was inaugurated recently will continue till November 1.