When Sadhu Aliyur was conducting a painting workshop as part of a camp in memory of author Punathil Kunjabdulla near a beach in Kozhikode, cyclone Ockhi was turning the world around him in a swirl. Even as Ockhi was bearing down its fury, Sadhu grabbed his brush and colours. In the calm eye of the storm, another work of art was born.
The untitled piece is among 50-odd paintings by three noted artists — Delhi-based surrealist painter Koya N.K.P. Muthu, Sadhu from Kozhikode and Kottayam-based watercolourist Sunil Linus De — on display at an exhibition of watercolour paintings, ‘Whisper in the Valley’, in the city.
Sadhu Aliyur
Another untitled work by Sadhu shows the silhouette of two “orphaned” bicycles parked by the sea-line. It’s sunset and the owners are not to be seen. “Depending on the viewer, one can weave a story about the painting. Where have they (the owners) gone?” Sadhu asks, letting the viewer’s interpretation answer.
Though many professional artists choose to keep off watercolours due to the limitations of the medium and lower sellability factor, Sadhu, a winner of two State awards and a member of the International Watercolour Society, has been experimenting with it for over 35 years now.
In sync with life
The three artists, in their own individualistic styles, capture the beauty and harmony of everyday life, whether the subject is beach life or the hustle and bustle of life in a metro (both by Koya), or old forts in Pune (Sadhu) or the verdant landscape in the serene parts of Thrissur (Koya) or the tranquillity of taking a stroll in the rain with an umbrella or merely a view of the Kovalam lighthouse from a distance (Sunil). While Koya says he resorts to the medium for a “quick, impressionistic work,” Sunil’s works evidently feature bright, vivid colours with well-detailed aspects.
A painting by Sunil Linus De
“I think positively in every thing and I want that positivity and brightness to reflect in my paintings too. I like to travel though pleasant journeys in life. Also, I want to provide happiness to the reader,” explains Sunil about his choice of colours. Green is prominent and soothing in his works.
Sunil Linus De
“I was born in a village in Kottayam with all the charms of verdancy and purity. From cradle to grave, one sees a lot of green in Kerala. That’s my inspiration.”
Inspired strokes
A painting by Koya N.K.P. Muthu depicting a beach.
For Koya, 76, whose surreal works have garnered international acclaim, watercolour paintings are often a refuge to etch on canvas a fleeting but deep-seated impression that strikes him during his travels. But memory can play spoilsport. However, Koya has his method for this madness – photography.
Koya N.K.P. Muthu
“I take pictures to suit my work. I then eliminate or add details to breathe life into my paintings. I’m a traveller and camera is my only way to capture the full essence of an image. I convert such impressions into paintings. Watercolour is a lovely medium [for that].” He says most of his paintings depicting beach life were inspired by Mararikulam beach in Alappuzha.
Reluctant to throw more light on his own works, Koya, who prefers working in acrylic and oil, remarks that “the paintings must speak for themselves.”
The exhibition is on till January 20 at Suryakanti Art Gallery, Mangalam Lane, Sasthamangalam.
Timing: 11 am to 6 pm
