Artists express anguish over assault on nature

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The on-going exhibition at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery in Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan has a selection of works done by promising artists from across the country.  While there are known names such as Bahuleyan C B, Asma Menon and Shijo Jacob, there are also the paintings of upcoming artists like K Sudheesh, Kalyani Uday and Balu Abhangu.  The paintings belong to Lailthakala Akademi’s collection, says exhibition officer K K Babumon. “These works have been collected from the various art workshops held by the Akademi. Occasionally, we hold such exhibitions showcasing works from our collection featuring paintings of young and upcoming artists. If they are held outside the state, they will be curated exhibitions.”  Expressing a wide gamut of themes and mediums, the paintings offer a glimpse into the concerns that assail the minds of young artists. The anguish over the assault on nature and the deterioration of the ecosystem emerge as a major theme in many of the works.Asma Menon, an artist living and working in Chennai and Bahuleyan, a lecturer at Government College of Fine Arts, Thrissur, depict nature’s yearning for the elemental abundance and purity.  The roots of the potted plant in Bahuleyan’s painting  break free to celebrate the union with earth, while Asma’s mermaid, a metaphor for the underlying singularity of life forms, embraces a tree that shelters a plethora of beings. Shijo Jacob, recipient of the 2005 State Award from the Kerala Lalita Kala Akademi, has carved a niche for himself by depicting journeys that evoke memories. The ship that has set sail in the water held inside a large red bucket can trigger memories of childhood or even of journeys loaded with political undertones.   The painting by Haren Thakur, an alumni of Shantiniketan, belongs to his series done on the distinctive medium of a collage of Nepali rice paper on canvas. He uses simple strokes, pastel shades and animal images to depict the political situation in India, thus bringing satire of an understated quality.   Razia Tony’s meditating male figure represents a search into the inner world of reality, while T R Sreedevi’s painting betrays her indulgence in sculpture. Nilanjana Nandy explores the chaos and violence that lie under the gloss of modern life and the painting by Sindhu D stands out for its use of bold colour combinations and flowing images.  Dimensions of light and shade emerge as powerful metaphors in the painting done by T S Prasad.       Paintings by Kavitha Balakrishnan, a lecturer in Art History, Govt College of Fine Arts, Thrissur, Hochimin P H from Kozhikode, Wilfred K P, an alumni of Shantiniketan and Sanjay Kumar from  Allahabad are also on display.  The exhibition will conclude on November 15.