Though it might seem peculiar, the greatest gift that we humans have is the ability to move on. Despite being shattered by a tragedy, we keep the willpower to gather ourselves and get back to being normal. However, this quality sometimes becomes our licence to take things for granted and our actions become so harsh that we even think of cutting the branch we are sitting on. This thought is being explained by the works by artist T.R. Udayakumar and sculptor V. Satheeshan, exhibited at the Dravidiya Art Gallery, Fort Kochi. The exhibition, The Relentless Creators, explains how adamant the human is about destroying the nature, despite being nurtured by it. Even after being given multiple warnings like floods and earthquakes, we are not ready to stop the atrocities against it.
Udayakumar’s paintings are an extension to his series Haunting Insight and Pollachi Kazchakal — the artist’s take on social issues and how man’s supremacy is just a bubble when nature takes a toll. “The latest addition to the series depicts how ruthless man is and how adamant he is so much so that he doesn’t bother to learn from his mistakes,” says Udayakumar, commenting about the concept of the paintings on display. Twenty of Udayakumar’s paintings are exhibited at The Relentless Creator.
What persuaded him to add more paintings to the series? Udayakumar says, “My paintings are my take on various social issues.” An idle human is shown in every painting, which, according to Udayakumar, shows our attitude towards the nature and society at large.
The medium used in the 20 paintings are either acrylic on paper or charcoal on tea washed paper.
Sharing the same thought is sculptor Satheeshan, who has created eight sculptures out of bronze, granite and fibre depicting the organic life led by humans that is way too hectic and difficult than what is mostly projected.
Elaborating on his works, Satheeshan says, “My sculptures are the experiences that life has provided me. As painters take inspiration from life, I give a 3D interpretation to my thoughts and struggles that I have experienced in order to reach where I am today. The sculptures depict various realities of life like hunger, poverty and hard.”
The exhibition that was inaugurated by Kaladi Sanskrit University Vice-Chancellor Dr. K.S. Ravikumar will go on till February 20.
