MYRIAD MEDIUMS OF CREATIVITY
For artists, Chennai is the bridge between traditional and contemporary.
My works are deeply informed by my faith. I am inspired particularly by the myriad traditions that fall under the umbrella term ‘spirituality’. Since my early days, I have been representing the Hiranyagarbha, the golden womb or egg, from which the cosmos was born. The golden womb is mythically the first eternal womb through which various universes were born, and where nothing is ending. It is constantly and positively procreating, recycling and engaging to the rhythm and pulse of life. The Tree of Life is another enduring leitmotif, which is universally accepted as a symbol presented by nature, expressing its various principles and laws. My works explore the great cycle of life-death-life and the balance of male and female, yin and yang, Shiva and Shakti, Purusha and Prakriti in the cosmos. I make my own narratives and carve my own mythology. In my practice, I invent my own mantras and rituals, resulting as imagery in my language-paintings.
In years of such exploration, I have seen that Delhi has a particularly interesting backdrop for the convergence between the historic and the contemporary, artistic tradition and the momentum of a booming economic power. But it is important to think beyond the city and reflect upon the diversity of the country and the region. Deeply seeped in traditions, my artwork reflects the roots from where I come. This was the brief that I gave myself, as I tried to build the cosmopolitan connect between Delhi and Chennai. I connect with Chennai in the deepest way. It is the city with so many religions and has a bloodline of spirituality and tradition, which is also reflected in my works. It fascinates me how the connect between the two cities is so different and yet the same. It was South India that welcomed my experiential videos and performances, as against viewing me as just a painter. Chennai is the predominant cultural hub of South India. The city has a vibrant art scene and has played a vital role in the evolution of traditional and contemporary art in India. This entire process has let me reinvent my practice and artwork, and given it an entirely new dimension.
In my works, I have always tried to portray the various experiences that one goes through in the creation and evolution of the being. It also captures in its entirety the perpetual change, order, strength and fragility; colours and rhythm; melody and exuberance of the elemental world. I have always attempted to combine intellectual and creative energy in a striking manner. Although known primarily as a painter, I have lately been using several other mediums to express—in the form of performances, films and installation. My exhibition in Chennai that opens later this month aptly showcases a collection of my practise and is also based on my connection with Chennai, and how it’s reflected over the greater space. What is an experiential environment for me, constructs an artistic environment for the viewer. Sometimes, with the use of the word, I reinvent myself and my expression. The themes that I choose are just not spiritual but also an exchange of energies and states of mind.
These days, I am drawn mostly to public art. Through performances and contributing my art to larger spaces such as the Park Hyatt hotel, Chennai, and the recent acquisition of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation collection, I have been given the opportunity to open my work to a greater outlook. It gives me immense pleasure to collaborate with Park Hyatt and the liberal thought process it has. This creative freedom has allowed me to maintain a better state of mind. This state of mind has found the perfect connect in a space like Chennai and its inspiring surroundings.
Business and commerce today are closely related with public art that adds colour and creativity to their spaces. Having my artwork displayed in such spaces will intellectualise and provide it with much needed positivity and enthusiasm. I hope this is true for the millions of people passing by it every day as well. A tone of unique aesthetics and social beauty is bound to set, and it will develop with time. The author is a self-trained contemporary artist who explores themes of sensuality and spirituality
I CONNECT WITH CHENNAI IN THE DEEPEST WAY. IT IS THE CITY WITH MANY RELIGIONS AND HAS A BLOODLINE OF SPIRITUALITY AND TRADITION, WHICH REFLECTS IN MY WORKS.