There is a saying that the essence of life does not lie in the material world. But there are some people who use the magic of art to instil life in the most mundane of things.
It is such artists who are currently presenting an exhibition at the Art Alive Gallery in Delhi. Titled ‘Moments and Transformations: Finding Life in Materiality’, the exhibition showcases the works of seven artists: Kirti Chandak, Manjula Selvam, Padmanaban T., Gubendhiran K., Lakshmi Sreenath, Augustine Thilak and S. Potrarasan.
The works on display show that the artists have engaged with a variety of mediums, materials, and techniques, to depict ‘change’ and ‘metamorphosis’. They did so by using various objects found in nature, be it yarn (fabric) or plant seeds. Some have even used ceramic as a medium.
by Manjula Selvam
In a chat with Sunaina Anand, director and the co-curator of the exhibition (along with Ashrafi S. Bhagat), we learn that there are many interesting aspects to these works. She explains, “What I see in these artists is that they, living in Puducherry, are around these materials (that they have used) and look at them as a metaphor for life in various ways.” She points out that this is the thread of commonality that connects these artists.
The whole idea of the show revolves around showcasing the transformation of something as lifeless as a seed into something that has life. When asked about how life is seen through these works, she responds, “You see life in these paintings as Manjula, who is a fashion designer, looks at fabric as a medium to express the landscapes that she lives in. If you see Potrarasan’s work, he has used ceramic as a medium, and looks at his daughter in terms of imagery. They all are looking at life through these mediums.”
By Padmanabhan
Speaking of how the beauty of lifeless things has been brought out in these paintings, Sunaina says, “You start looking at these materials beyond what they look like.” These works are a testimony to the fact that there is life that exists in non-living things. Fabrics are normally used to create clothes but when used in an artwork, there is a whole new visual language they tend to acquire.
— The exhibition is ongoing till September 30
