Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

A view from the cash cabin

Sangeeth Kurian

DIFFERENT PATH: An exhibition of paintings by K.P. Thomas is on at the Russian Cultural Centre in the city. - Photo: S. Mahinsha

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: He is an artist who takes pride in turning trash into art. A self-taught painter who believes that the message is more important than the medium on which it is depicted.

So when K.P. Thomas, a bank employee, decided to use discarded envelopes and dot matrix printouts (a type of computer print out characterised by tiny dots widely used in offices and commercial establishments) to base his artistic creations, more than the novelty it inspired, the move also broke the conventional practise of relying on canvas.

His paintings done using a mix of acrylic, ink, charcoal, watercolours and pencil lead are aesthetically merged with the characteristic features of the medium starting from perforations that fringe a dot matrix printout to used postage stamps and seals embossed on envelopes.

"The irregular shape and feature of an envelope affixed with stamps or the natural attributes of a computer printout enhances the meaning and dimension of a painting," said Mr. Thomas, whose collection of 37 paintings titled Visions from Cash Cabin are currently exhibited at the Russian Cultural Centre here.

"The printings on the computer printouts are like graphics for me. They become a part of the subject of my work," said this Lalitkala academy award winner and a post-graduate in philosophy.

Most of his works are based on the theme of magic-realism and an influence of tribal lifestyle is evident throughout his paintings. In fact, the artist's partiality to tribal lifestyle is only natural as he hails from Mananthavady in Wayanad.

According to the artist, his works, which took nearly three to six months for completion are borne out of the "angst of his mind", which he claims to experience due to the monotonous nature of his work at the bank.

The five-day painting exhibition was inaugurated by Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Tuesday. The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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