Melange of ideas
MANU REMAKANT
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A painting and sculpture exhibition by Praveen B examines the same train of thought on canvas and in clay.
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The artist makes it clear that he prefers sculpture to painting.
Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar
IMAGINATION AND OBSERVATION: Praveen B with his work.
The sculptures were not exact replicas of the paintings, but they explain, echo and accentuate the theme of the drawings in quite another plane.
The exhibition of `Sculptures and Paintings' by Praveen B at Vylopilly Samskriti Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, took viewers for a voyage that exposed them to images in two media and dimensions. Ideas found expression in colours and strokes, and then in clay. The artist makes it clear that he prefers sculpture to painting as it is "more painful a work and gives more pleasure."
Attention to details
Praveen's sculptures try to capture the finer details of nature and life that most of us take for granted or miss completely.
"My works are a marriage between my imagination and the things that I have observed," Praveen says.
He was on a trip to Ponmudi when he chanced upon a rainbow of butterflies fluttering over a mossy stone. The result was the figure of a man with colourful wings resting on a big piece of rock, `The Mentiferous wings;' a work that brought acclaim and many awards to the artist.
Some of the drawings on the wall duplicate the sculptures he has made.
"In fact, I first draw the images that inspire me to make them real," explains Praveen. Travelling is a source of inspiration as it "brings a lot of experience and ideas."
Train journeys
"My train journeys inspired me to produce this sculpture," says Praveen pointing to a mud coloured knife, running through three parallel metal rings.
"Ever listened to the conversation of train passengers? They either probe into other people's lives or remain cocooned in their own worlds in self defence."
He remembers his journey to Sucheendram, when his guide tried to impress him by poking a stick through a statue's ear. Praveen was astounded to see the pointed edge emerge from the other ear.
His reaction is captured in the many sculptures and drawings in the exhibition that depict the ear and its innards. Images depicting a man resting on a piece of wood (`Ambivalency') and his `Wake up in confused circle' attracted visitors. The use of circles makes the theme clear. Praveen says, , "A circle is complete. I just love the shape."
`Wake up in confused circle' depicts a disoriented man caught in the vortex of time, which invariably runs in circle.
The exhibition at Vyloppilly Bhavan is Praveen's first solo exhibition.
A guest lecturer in Sculpture, RLV Government College of Fine Arts, Ernakulam, Praveen has has won many awards, including the State Award for best sculpture in 2004and also the AIFACS (New Delhi) State award for the best sculpture in 2003.
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