The spiritual artist
SHILPA NAIR ANAND
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V.B. Venu's frames are populated by elongated figures, a mix of myth and reality.
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Photo: Vipin Chandran
INSPIRED BY SURREALISM: V.B. Venu is one of the artists selected by Raab Galerie, Berlin, for the Beijing Arts Festival to be held next year.
V.B. Venu is one artist who has the conviction and the confidence in these market driven times to say, "I have not painted seriously in the last six months. I have to take a break, in order not to be repetitive. Interruption is good, it could result in a change in a stroke, or the interpretation of an idea."
But then, Venu belongs to the old school of artists for whom art and painting are spiritual and where inspiration is all important.
For a person who stumbled onto the canvas, Venu has come a long way. His solo exhibition at Paul McPherson Gallery in London concluded on March 3. Fifteen of his works, eight paintings and seven drawings, were exhibited in London. That is not all; he is one of the artists selected by Raab Galerie, Berlin, for the Beijing Arts Festival to be held next year.
In October last he exhibited in Delhi and has held several exhibitions in Kerala.
With a master's degree in Malayalam, Venu was all set for a career as a teacher, "had I got admission for B.Ed. in Malayalam. The interview call card was for B.Ed. Mathematics, I did not go for the interview and here I am."
Art school
He now runs an art school called Chaithram Institute of Art in Kochi. Venu admits to being influenced by surrealists, mainly Marc Chagall, and his painting have a distinct surrealistic feel. His frames are populated by elongated figures, a mix of myth and reality. He feels that art is all about letting the imagination loose, and surrealism means soaring far above terra firma.
Surrealism or rather the influence of what Venu terms romantic surrealism is what his art is all about. His frames are full of strange, mysterious, dream-like images.
As a result, the ethereal and the surreal combine in a style that is also a manifestation of Venu's emotions and creativity. Not limiting himself to a single medium, Venu uses watercolours, acrylic, ink and charcoal among others.
Trademark style
"Whether we like it or not, every artist has his trademark style, a sign of his identity. But then I am against this notion that an artist must indulge in assembly line production, playing to the market forces. As an artist you have to say what you want to say. You cannot let economics dilute your capabilities," says Venu.
It is not just myth that Venu draws inspiration from, contemporary events influence him as well.
"As an artist I feel I cannot live as an island, what happens around me affects me, but only that the manner in which I interpret it is different and turn to myths and legends. Then at some point the contemporary melds with myth," says Venu explaining the genesis of his paintings.
What he attempts at the end of the day is to set people thinking.
"Every painting says what the viewer comprehends, there are several layers of meanings that the person who looks at my paintings has to unravel. I may or may not have messages, but then that is for the viewer to interpret," says Venu.
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