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Rembrandt in black & white
RECREATING THE magic of Rembrandt is tough enough. Imagine if you had to do it in `reverse' mode. On black paper. That too with mere colour pencils. Ever tried pencil shading on black? K. Muralidharan, an animator and illustrator with Ogilvy and Mather, did.
The results are interestingly phenomenal and for all to see at the Vinyasa Art Gallery from February 21. Phenomenal, considering that it is the artist's debut exhibition.
Muralidharan's collection of 21 `pencil-paintings', been titled `Recollections of Rembrandt', faithfully stick and strive to recreate and match the genius, stroke by stroke. So what if the medium is entirely different here, the effect is almost the same.
Admittedly, `almost' is the keyword there and Muralidharan agrees. ``I would choose to call this work a study of Rembrandt. Because I have learnt a lot from this,'' he says. ``Maturity will come with age,'' he adds.
It all started when a friend of his, Siddharth Chandrashekar got him a set of Prismacolor Art Pencils made of soft, thick lead, from abroad. Intrigued by the texture and result he got out of the creamy colour lead pencils, he kept trying different combinations till he finally found black paper with an interesting texture that lent it the canvas effect.
Seven years ago, Muralidharan passed out of the Government College of Arts and Crafts with a study of Rembrandt for a Masters project. The fascination only grew over the years.
It had something to do with the dominance of black in Rembrandt's paintings.
It was only in the last one year, that it occurred to Muralidharan to recreate the paintings on black paper, a recent discovery. Even as he continued to work at O and M, he came up with quite a few pieces which were ultimately picked up, in-house. Sold, even before they were exhibited.
The artist emphasises the role of O and M in encouraging his work. Even in putting up his maiden exhibition.
The exhibition features 21 paintings (all recreation of Rembrandt's famous pieces).
There are four self-portraits of Rembrandt apart from portraits of `Saskia As Flora', `Man In Armour', `Prophet Jeremiah Mourning Destruction of Jerusalem', `Man With A Golden Helmet', `Girl At The Window' and even group portraits of `Night Watch' and `Jesus With The Disciples In The Storm' among the pencil-paintings on display.
Muralidharan will be available at the venue for interaction with the public during the week long exhibition.
By Sudhish Kamath
Photo: V. Ganesan
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