Thoughts on canvas
REMA SUNDAR
|
ART Nemom Pushparaj tries to depict the working of the mind.
|
TRAPPED: Portraying the stress and trumoil of mankind
An exhibition of paintings put up by Nemom Pushparaj, renowned art director and filmmaker, prods people into thinking about their political, social and economic responsibilities. His collection called `Aberrations' comprises paintings, graphics, drawings and sculptures.
Artist's fears
Most of his paintings capture the artist's apprehension about the modern world that tends to make people apathetic to the turmoil around them. Pushparaj says, "It is a world of disturbing party politics and degrading values. Everyone is caught in a scramble for power."
Many of his works delve into the working of the human mind. Man is a mute spectator and prey to a larger system that traps him in a cocoon and warps his thinking process. This is portrayed in his 128 x 112 cm oil titled `Aberrations'. In his work `The Subconscious,' Pushparaj tries to drive home the point that even while one feigns ignorance and turns a blind eye to the events around us, the subconscious mind keeps a constant vigil.
`Nightmares' captures our pessimism and insecurity on canvas. Pushparaj's favourite painting is `The Stagnant Tide.' Explains Pushparaj, "Through this painting, I have tried to depict the inner turmoil of a person. Although he appears calm, his mind is a whirlpool of conflicting thoughts and stress." To redeem oneself from the vicious circle of power and politics, the artist, through his work in bronze titled `Knowledge is power' suggests that knowledge holds the key to break free of the vicious circle.
The complexities of the mind apart, colonialism and scenes from contemporary India finds ample space in his paintings and drawings.
One of his works that catches the eye is a painting titled `Progress.' This 65 x 114 cm oil on canvas depicts the India of today, which is caught in a neither-here-nor-there situation. Says Pushparaj, "Even though we have been freed from foreign rule, we are still not free from foreign influence that is manifest in our increasing consumerism."
Painting is Pushparaj's first love although he has made his mark in the field of art direction through films like `Santham', `Danny' and `Paithrukam.'
His maiden directorial venture `Gourisankaram' (2003) fetched him critical acclaim and won him the State Award and Film Critics' Award for the debutant filmmaker.
Pushparaj says, "Painting offers me the unbridled freedom of expression."
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
