A paean to Nature

‘Mitya’ celebrates nature, just as much as it comments, strongly on the dangers faced by it

Vivi Jojo talks intensely about his art, happy to explain the mélange of ideas that shape his works. In ‘Mitya’, (meaning illusion), his ongoing show, at David Hall in Fort Kochi, he expounds the beauty of nature and the challenges it faces from human beings.

Driven by a love for nature, it being his strongest belief, the exhibition is his testimony to his conviction. Hence images from his home in the picturesque Vellukunnel hills in Vandiperiyar come alive. The ready jackfruit, the endangered tree moth, the dragon fruit, fat tubers, passion fruit flower and even leeches, “doing a good job,” make central images on his canvases.

The 25-year-old architect veered into

painting after he made, what he terms, his masterpiece, a work that according to him came about in a dramatic explosion of moods, music and materials in a marathon four hour non -stop application. The way Vivi describes his creativity, at that point, it clearly feels that he was propelled by a power beyond, to create the work.

Everything that he knew, in his 22 years - martial art, dance, archery, sports- he says, expressed itself in a unique way in the work. Exhibited along with the rest, the piece stands out, markedly different, and is not on sale.

Two aspects that strike, quite simply, in these early paintings are the use of bright colours, which adds to the aesthetics, and the use of space that lends a structural strength.

“In every painting colour signifies time,” he says, explaining that a bright colour means day time, while dark shades signify dusk and thereafter.

The asymmetry from spaces, says Vivi, is for the absurd elements, which exists everywhere, subtly, if not stark.

A work in mauve depicting his backyard has a genial feel of time and space, capturing nicely the slow and charming environs of his home in the hills. His feet, crossed lazily, the passion fruit flower and the cat make for a pleasing tale, well told.

A rat and the tapioca is another lovely estate story, expressed simply. A work in orange, of leeches on his feet, going about their blood sucking ways, combines wit and reality, just as the ants in another work is a fine depiction of flora, fauna and the wild.

If the ‘karimeen’ is glorified in one work, a mid-air tussle between the eagle and crow makes for dramatic expression.

A strong work stating pictorially the need to do more to save the paddy is in gentle shades of green.

“Though the government has taken measures to help paddy cultivation but more needs to be done,” says Vivi whose art tuition has been continuous and from many teachers at different points during his academic years. Currently Vivi is learning art under TR Suresh.

Mitya thus celebrates nature, just as much as it comments, strongly on the dangers it faces.

The show concludes on February 19.