Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Puducherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
Lingering images
|
Unni Balaramapuram’s exhibition of paintings are a feast for the eyes and the mind
|
Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar
Reflecting nature Unni Balaramapuram with a landscape painted by him
The portrait of a beautiful girl with a lighted lamp in her hand welcomed visitors to a painting exhibition at Vylloppilly Samskriti Bhavan. Titled ‘Sandhyadeepam,’ the image has been inspired by the famous Ravi Varma painting ‘Th
e lady with the lamp.’ The diffused light lights up her bright face. The work was only an example of what was to come later. A riot of colours captured in various frames draw viewers into the gallery.
The exhibition, called ‘Miracle on Canvas,’ at Museum auditorium attracted a large number of art lovers. For Unni Balaramapuram, the artist, the show became a ‘platform’ to interact with people who came in large numbers to buy his works of art. “A majority of these paintings are already sold,” beamed Unni.
His landscapes linger in the mind. Truly exotic, they are not reflections of any places Unni might have seen in his life. “They just happen,” he said. “Many friends told me that they have seen these landscapes somewhere.”
Rural life
Some of the paintings depicted the beauty of rural life in Kerala. A couple of them had snow-capped mountains to adore the background. Streams and long desolate roads deepened the mystery. With subtle use of light and shade, Unni has woven many plots into one image.
When it comes to serious issues, the artist seemed to have used his brush as a cudgel to fight injustice.
A series of paintings titled ‘Duravastha’ portrayed man as a destroyer of nature’s harmony. ‘Last Judgment’ showed man’s total lack of regret at the havoc wrought by him. ‘Kalippattangal Sakshi’ depicted the mutilated body of a girl and the shadow of a fleeing man.
“I am sure that such paintings can awaken the conscience of the public,” Unni said confidently. “Art has the power to correct the erring mind and to set ideals for it,” he added.
The show had many installations by the artist. Mural-like works on pots attracted many people. His artwork on wood was also brilliant.
Unni has used acrylics, oils, water colour, pencil and sand to create the miracles on canvas.
“Different paintings demand different media,” the artist explained.
His paintings were not restricted to a particular style. He has realistic, surrealistic, abstract and mural works to his credit.
Haunting images
Many of his images are thought provoking. ‘Santhwanam,’ for instance, showed the close-up of a woman and a bird separated by an iron grill. Is it the girl or the bird that is in the cage? Who is the captive? The artist has moved on without waiting to answer the question.
‘Rainy day’ is another captivating image in deep blue shades. At a distance, a couple holding an umbrella can be seen walking in the rain as darkness envelopes them. The dripping blue paint gives viewers a feel of the rain.
Unni Balaramapuram is working as an art instructor at various schools in the city such as Chithrakalamandalam, Shanthinikethan School and Kavalam School of Music.
‘Miracle on Canvas’ is his second solo exhibition.
MANU REMAKANT
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Puducherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
|
