1 What made you pursue art?
Which school kid wouldn’t want to get away from text books? As a child I always found myself with a pencil and paper. At the end of the day, I had pages and pages of drawings instead of completed homework. It was my escape and I found solace in it.
2 Who do you look up to?
I have always found inspiration from masters like Henri Matisse, Picasso, David Hockney and KM Adimoolam as their works have an essence of honesty. The paintings are no means to an end, just an exploration of passion.
Milind Nayak has been a friend, mentor, inspiration and has moulded me.
3 Do you mix genres?
At this moment, I am focusing on exploring colours, and would think about working in the region that lies between genres a little later after. I’m currently working on two mediums — Printmaking and oil and canvas.
4 Your most prized possession?
My most prized possession would be the collection of antiques that have been handed down from generations at home. I also have a humble collection of paintings and drawings from geniuses like Adimoolam, KK Hebbar, SG Vasudev and Milind Nayak.
5 Your hobbies?
I love travelling and exploring nature. It is quite amazing how much there is to learn from nature.
6 How hard is it to establish yourself?
The world of art has become very competitive. There is a clear distinction between pursuing art to fuel passion and selling art. With new mediums like digital art and VR design coming up there is a huge market for artists. On the contrary, going old school with a paint and brush is an uphill task.
7 Your favourite piece of art?
If I have to, it should be Henry Matisse — The Lute, 1943.
8 Your most recent work of art?
Most of the paintings that I have done are complied into a series called Sequences in Solitude. These are works based on nature, and the journey I have had in solitude. The series is exhibited from June 9 at Mahua Art Gallery.
9 If not a painter, what?
I cannot imagine myself doing anything but art!
10 Five things you cannot leave your house without?
Clothes that reflect my mood, a phone, my happy-go-lucky attitude, the agenda for the day, and my Brian’s folder to keep a track of my agenda!
— As told to Aditi Jayakumar
