Imagery with powerful lines

"IN THE present state of affairs, we may have to go back to the way of life of the ancient man; this concern is at the roots of some of my paintings here," says G. Subramanian, whose works are being shown at the Vinyasa Art Gallery (Music Academy premises) till October 20 (11a.m.-7 p.m.). In his figurative works, often the human forms appear like some of the mythological beings with human body, animal head or vice versa as in "Srishti Rahasyam". Most often they also look like the cave man.

This graduate from the College of Arts, Kumbakonam, has evolved a style of his own, in which lines dominate, colour playing a rather subordinate role. "When I need to make a shape with thousands of lines, rather than filling it with a wash within seconds, I go for powerful lines where I really experience overwhelming joy, happiness and satisfaction", declares Subramanian, who for the past several years has been living and working in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Thepaintings are almost monochromatic, in dark brown and ochre or mild green and black, with only a touch of the red, green or orange in some works. Lines in Tamil taken from the teachings of saints form part of the concept. The text is quite relevant to the imagery in most of the paintings.

LAKSHMI VENKATRAMAN

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