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Angst through art
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B.O. Shailesh explores a range of stimuli in his video, installation and canvases. His works are on show at Ashvita
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DISTINCT IMAGERY A work by B.O. Shailesh
The canvases invite attention to robust human forms articulated with philosophical sensitivity. The artist has formulated a language which is recognisably his own, yet allows him flexibility to accommodate a range of stimuli. What are these stimuli? B.O. Shailesh who is showcasing his works at Ashvita Art Gallery is stimulated by the ancient yogic tradition, the existentialism of angst and the tension of material globalisation, the mimicry in art from tradition to mass production, including Nature, which he recreates through his distinct imagery, addressing the problem of painterly representation afresh in an epoch where visuality is dictated by the electronic media.
In this exhibition, Shailesh has put together a video film, an installation and painted canvases. The common thread binding them is the philosophical question that he poses namely the quest of a journey whether `eternal' or `innocent'. The video is titled "An Other Eternal Quest" and the installation, "An Innocent Journey of Ants". The painted canvases are enigmatic. Adding to the complexity of his `designed' compositions are the stencilled words meandering at will on the canvas. Nevertheless, Shailesh has a structure to the organisation of his compositions. Many frames have a two third division taken up by human imagery with one third painted in plain colours such as red, blue and yellow. The works are figurative; the background, textured with driblets of paint, simulated dots of shining sequins and a flower with running stems — a seeming reminder of the philosophy of creation. Shailesh reveals the transition he is going through in his status — familial, social, economic and intellectual.
Iconographic
The paintings, `Daksha', `Construction of a bridge' and `Come to Position', are strongly iconographic, focussing on macho human forms that have the capacity to mould their bodies into any shape and take on positions that are mind boggling. The symbolic significance is a reference to the resilience of the human mind with its capacity to accept and adapt to any situation.
His canvases, besides recording his philosophical predilection rooted in the epic stories of India, mediate through the visual cultural tradition of Thanjavur paintings, to ironically mark his space within the post-modern milieu. Ironic, since he plays on the traditional medium to make a parody of it. The garish colours, particularly the peppermint pinks, fluorescent greens, acidic yellows and the electric blues, clearly make his works kitschy, adding an element of humour as in `Dolli in India' where the moustache of the staid portrait has a lotus on a stem that winds upwards with macho implications. Interestingly, Shailesh has extended the idea of Thanjavur paintings and has created an assemblage by hinging panels on either side of the work in a series titled "Space". The installation, which occupies the entire floor of the gallery, has a huge constructed comb surrounded by ants in feverish activity. Shailesh reflects his thinking process through ants that never cease to work and the artist who never ceases in his creative cerebration.
The show is on at Ashvita Art Gallery till September 17.
ASHRAFI S. BHAGAT
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