Rumination is a constant subject in many of Yeldose Ezhattukai's paintings
Yeldose Ezhattukai's paintings, ‘Levels of Christophenic Desires,' treat visitors to canvases that are multi-dimensional in nature. Many show the crucifixion of the Christ as interpreted by him. Humans in conversation with elements from nature, mainly fish and butterflies figure prominently as guides in their meditations. For the love of art and to be certain of what he puts on canvas, Yeldose resigned from his job as an art teacher and devoted three years to a bachelor's degree in theology.
The highlight of the show is a profile of the crucified Christ, blue-faced and serene, angels hovering close by across a large canvas of vertical, dripping shades of colours.
“We had to study various religions and then specialise. Since I follow the Christian faith, I was intent on learning more about it before depicting anything about it,” says Yeldose. This collection comprises works painted over a period of five years.
Rumination is a constant subject in many of the acrylic paintings as Yeldose tries to stress upon the transient nature of life and eternal presence of spirituality. Abstracts and impressions from nature occupy space in Yeldose's creations. The man conversing with a fish is just one among many where it features as a symbol of the divine among a sea of flowers.
“Flowers signify the temporal nature of the world while the fish stands for conscience, the divine in each person that everyone can easily access. There was a time when believers of Christ had the tattoo of a fish on their hands. All my paintings in this series are about the dilemmas a man faces when confronted by the physical and the metaphysical,” explains Yeldose. A hand, a leg and a clean-shaven face of Christ form three separate pieces dotted with butterflies. “It is my version of what Christ might have felt before deciding to give himself up for the sake of the people. We all have our moments of doubt when we think about doing something for the larger good isn't it?”
As if in conclusion to this stream of thought is a painting of a museum where a woman stands amidst its exhibits including that of a stuffed horse. “It is an animal that is usually associated with passion, movement, but once it dies, at the most, this is what it will end up as, stiff and incapable of anything,” he says elaborating on the end that comes of fleeting pursuits.
While a student of fine art, Yeldose was inspired by Salvador Dali's works but over the years, has come into his own. Yeldose's next project, his dream, is based on the 10 doctrines: “My guru, art critic Vijayakumar Menon, has already given me the go-ahead.”
‘Levels of Christophenic Desires' is Yeldose's first exhibition in the city. His works have been exhibited in many cities throughout the state in the past. This collection is on display till April 20 at Vyloppilly Samskriti Bhavan.
Keywords: Yeldose Ezhattukai, metaphysics, art and religion
