Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
Strokes of reality
|
Painter Kisalay Vora believes that public art is an artist’s way of giving back to society
|
Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.
UNLEARNING Kisalay Vora: ‘Painters are now caught in the web of their own mimicry’
Painter Kisalay Vora’s imagination soared when his orator-father told him stories of mythology and history, which he in turn would reproduce visually, as he grew up to become an artist.
The Bombay-based artist from Gujarat and J.J. School of Arts alumnus who was recently in the city, surprisingly, was not here to promote his works of art through an exhibition or a fancy inaugural but was here as the ‘non-commercial’ artist.
To further his stand: “I am here to promote public art – to find out more about young commercial artists and invite them to paint with me for a public cause.”
Why would a commercially successful artist, who sells his paintings for two to five lakh, and has the freedom to paint his own style, want to emphasise on public art?
“I think that as an artist, I should give back to society what it gave to me.” He adds: “Every artist should remember where art came from and what he or she went out in the world to become an artist for — to re-communicate.”
He feels that art has a timeless value to it, rather than what it has become today — one measured by monetary success. “Stone Age artists painted and carved for the very essence of art and that’s what I am here for.”
He stresses, “When a lay person looks at a painting, I think the important chord that should be struck is of the reality of art. It should not be relegated to some philosophy, but rather, be an extension of creative energy and life.”
Also, he feels that it’s baseless to talk of lines and strokes in art and comment on its usage. “Lines are used to guide, not divide art forms”.
“I don’t differentiate good art from bad. I don’t believe that some paintings are good or bad,” says the former advertising professional about cases of vandalising art in the name of religion.
Kisalay, who has also dabbled in interior designing says: “Painters are now caught in the web of their own mimicry. They tend to repeat the same styles and forms that made them commercially famous.”
He feels that he is lucky as his admirers urge him to go ahead and paint any form or idea. “I have complete freedom to paint what I want.”
Kisalay who straightway says he admires artist M. F. Hussain quotes from Italian painter Pablo Picasso about the ‘unlearning’ of painting: “It took me four years to paint like Raphael but a lifetime to paint like a child.” “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
This column features those who choose to veer off the beaten track.
AYESHA MATTHAN
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
|
