Reading faces

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Dec. 22. FACES STARE at you from every corner of the room as you enter. Vibrant faces, which have an intense energy about them, each reflecting distinct characters.

Faces have always held a fascination for Janine Creaye, an artist-sculptor from the U.K., whose studies of a person's character and face have found expression in large human head sculptures.

A collection of works of art by Janine, who is in the city on an English Regional Arts Board scholarship to conduct visual research in Kathakali and Kalaripayattu, has been exhibited at the Chitraniketan Art Gallery here.

Primarily a sculptor, who works with stone, wood and marble, her work revolves around two themes: the iconic form of the human head and the language of movements. Janine has been in India before and says that its Hindu gods and stone carvings have had a tremendous influence on her.

The works on show here are studies from both Eastern and Western subjects on handmade paper, in watercolour/acrylic, charcoal and pastel. These would form the base for her sculptures later on - two of which have already been added to the show here.

The works here include sketches of Elephanta Mahesamurti; Samadhi Buddha of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka; Ancient Ganesha; Gandhi, Steven Berkoff, actor/theatre director, among others.

A collection of rough sketches made by her while watching martial art performances is also on show.

Of her work, she says: ``I intend my works to appeal as an image but to have undercurrents of something that delves into a deeper, more instinctive world.''

Janine, a professional member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, has held several art shows in London. Her stone sculptures, installed in Walled Garden, Tilgate Park, Sussex, Buchan Country Park and Guildford town centre are perfect studies in contemplation.

The exhibition will be on till January 1, 2001.

By C. Maya

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