Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
Cabin with a view
BHAWANI CHEERATH
|
K.P. Thomas paints his observations.
|
One has heard equity analysts talking of conclusions arrived at on the basis of back-of-the-envelope calculations, but back-of-the-envelope paintings?
The concept would be new to most of us, unless, of course, you have seen the works of K.P. Thomas. The title, `Visions from a Cash Cabin' cues you on to the theme of his exhibition of paintings that is currently on at Roerich Memorial Gallery (Gorky Bhavan), Thiruvananthapuram.
There is a confessional tone in his words, "For the first time I'm being transparent in my creative expression."
A form of release
The frames on display are a form of release for this man who has spent over two decades of his working life cooped up in the cash counter of a bank.
The artist is not weighed down by the past yet he seeks reprieve from the monotony and the ennui of his life by doodling on the stationery that lies around at the workplace. These doodles transform themselves into colourful frames when he works on them. The result sometimes is totemic, or triggered off by the impression of a customer across the counter or the random ramblings of a mind that is stifled in the confines of the cabin.
The paintings therefore become a soliloquy of the man whose only dream in life was to become a painter.
As a self-taught painter he feels his works are free in the sense that he does not find it necessary to identify with any of the Classicists or the Masters to establish his style.
When he relies on computer printouts and envelopes as the base for his painting, how does he ensure the permanence of the colours on these works, in a way that time does not take its toll on the work? A coat of resin spray protects the surface, says the artist.
The 40 frames on display this time only reinforce what he has always maintained, "Every day, every moment I experiment. While it is an evolving experience there is an identifiable continuity between the various phases. I feel that I have broken away from the conventional approach to use of medium, space and colour, and this change is something that will be understood later."
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
|
