It is very rare to find exhibitions that display the works of both a teacher and his students. But this is what I find at Resilience, the third in the Meet Coimbatore Artists series, at the Kasthuri Sreenivasan Art Gallery. Showcasing the works of city-based artists, the exhibition covers various themes and mediums.
When I enter the gallery, ‘Floating Boat’ by Chitty Babu catches my eye with its vibrant colours. A small boat floats silently under the bright full moon. Babu compares his art to music. “I want people to feel my art. These drawings are an expression of my creative urge.” When asked about the meaning of his untitled abstract drawing, he says he leaves it be interpreted by the visitors. Explaining another painting called ‘Parched Land’, he says, “This is inspired from a scene I saw at Vadavalli, of people struggling due to lack of water.” Babu uses acralic on canvas as his medium.
‘Where are you, Adam’ by A Charles shows a curled-up human form in darkness. The slow transition of colours from white, red and yellow to black is smooth and captivating. “I have depicted God asking Adam where is he. Adam’s sin has made him fear light for it reveals the truth. This is a picture of much significance in these days,” says the artist.
He believes that villages are the essence of life and has also included several rural scenes. ‘Aspiration’ is one such. Two little boys on a makeshift boat move through a stream between thick vegetation. One holds a big pointed stick in his hand, aiming at something. “I stay in a village for a few days every year. I later turn to painting to express the emotions that I capture from the villages.”
Human portraits are the highlights of C Mohan’s oils on canvas. An industrial designer, the artists says that he is still trying to master human figures His ‘The Day Starting’ is a beautiful interplay of lights, reflections and shadows. “I am inspired by realism. My human models are not copies. I create them from scratch using software. This software copy is just a reference when painting. I use realistic elements and detailing to add life to it.”
‘Colourless Dreams’, a series of six pen-and-ink drawingsby NS Mahesh, shows floral designs without colours. ‘Fell on the Fallen Leaves’ depicts fallen leaves in a golden colour, as reminding it of its past glory. Mahesh also uses other mediums like oil and acrylic.
M Muthuraj’s ‘High Angle’ includes metallic chips to show how Nature is exploited in times of increasing urbanisation.
N Padmarajan, who taught all the other artists, has included knife-work painting as part of his exhibits. Landscapes and rivers become life-like in his paintings. “Words fail me now. I have my painting displayed here along with that of my students whom I taught around 30 years ago. What more can a teacher ask for?” says the proud teacher standing amid his students.
Resilience
The artists whose works will be shown are Padmarajan, Chitty Babu, Maniraj Mohan, Charles, Muthuraj, Philip and Mahesh.
Until July 18 at Kasthuri Sreenivasan Art Gallery, Avanashi Road, Peelamedu from 10.00 am to 6.30 pm.
For details contact 0422-2574110