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Memory chords
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Akuzuru’s work forges a connection to her childhood experiences in Trinidad and Tobago
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ON A ROLL Momentum fills up space in Akuzuru’s multidisciplinary exhibition
“I admire the work of many painters,” says Akuzuru from Trinidad and Tobago. “But when it comes to my own art, I find painting rather constricting. For me, ‘space’ is an essential and the most important raw material in the creative process; and I would like to work with different materials and objects.”
Interestingly, Akuzuru has a degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising from the American College in London, UK (1989), and a Masters degree in Textile Design from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria (1997) but no specific academic training in arts.
“In a way, I am happy for that,” smiles the 44-year old artist who has retained her childhood interest in drawing and sketching. Born into a family which encouraged her interest in music, dance and drama, the long-haired Trinidadian tries to combine the strength of different mediums in her work.
Akuzuru has been in India since January this year, first for a residency near Delhi and now in Bangalore for a similar programme, which extends till the end of this month. Her recent work titled “Momentum – Autobiography of an Odd Child”, currently on at Gallery Sumukha, shows the involvement of the multidisciplinary artist in combining elements of installation and performance.
Her connection with textiles as well as natural fibre, earth and paper comes through strongly in the manner and construct of the installation. “I always work with common objects and simple material. They help me make my statement, communicate my concerns.”
Momentum fills the spacious exhibition hall with hung fabric and plastic sheets. Long and tiny strips of crumpled cloth and sturdy ropes dangle from different corners; light- coloured fabrics flutter on the periphery while a set of asymmetrical pillows lies scattered on the floor.
The viewer can encounter feelings pain and hurt, as also warmth and tenderness in the objects, their construct and placement. The ropes and cloth strips strung across the hall extend a lyrical pattern to the installation. For Akuzuru, they are metaphors of ‘umblicality’, while the triangular bamboo constructs on the floor, are signs of femininity and fertility.
“This Spatial Work, a sculpture-performance, presents the varied pivotal transformations from my life’s experiences, which chronicle some indelible encounters along the journey,” explains Akuzuru. “This is an exercise in self-expression. My latest experience being India, there are interwoven realities within the existential inter-spaces, which impact upon and challenge the mind. Momentum presents my experiences in Bangalore and simultaneously forges a connection to the beginnings of my childhood experiences in Trinidad and Tobago.”
An interesting piece of the installation is the central ‘room’ that Akuzuru has constructed with a wooden autorickshaw and covered with cloth and plastic sheets. “I realized that the humble auto is an everyday icon in Bangalore, but did not want to use it in a very obvious manner, as some Western artist might be tempted to do. For me the auto symbolised journey and movement. It also represents a home. And even a womb!”
The show concludes on May 12 at Gallery Sumukha, BTS Depot road, Wilson Garden. Call 22292230.
GIRIDHAR KHASNIS
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Puducherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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