If an art gallery is a lot about the space that it holds then the newly opened GalleryOED (Open Eyed Dreams) has much going for it.
An antiquated pepper godown, in the history-laden Bazaar Road, Mattancherry, is the new OED. It takes little imagination for a visitor to be drawn into the folds of the past where, perhaps, sacks full of ‘black gold’ laid stacked for trade. Today, the space pulsates with aesthetic vigour flaunting its precious past with pride.
The past rises in the restored architecture, elegantly done in tune with heritage conservation. The present stirs in the ongoing show ‘1341 AD, showcasing 14 artists from the State. “The strongest point about artists from here is their narrative skill. They are great storytellers by birth,” says Dilip Narayanan, owner of the gallery, implying that they have the advantage of being born into a rich culture.
Each work throbs with narrative tempo.
1341 AD
1341 AD is the year of shift, when flood waters changed course and with it history. Kodungallur, the port city, was inundated and Kochi opened as the new port. The scene changed and Kochi became the focus of trade and succeeding colonial intrusions.
The works at the show don’t explicitly keep to this theme but most of them imply this historic event in different ways. Riyas Komu’s ‘Bolld Brothers’ is a work that grabs your attention. The work, spread over an entire high wall of the gallery, is 360 aluminium casted figures of soldiers in military fatigue. Invasions, war, occupation, migration, change, are several interpretations. ‘The Promise of a Metropolis’, by Sunoj D. in acrylic on linen portrays high rises in the night sky. The play of light and darkness is beautifully brought out. Bhagaynath’s ‘Between Me and Me’, canvas on transparent paper, Sumedh Rajendran’s installation ‘New Born, New Sighted’ in leather, stainless steel and resin is masculine and impactful. Binoy Varghese continues with the theme of migration in his untitled work. Bose Krishnamchari’s ‘Love Unlimited’ is minimalist in approach but strong in message. He has used Braille to convey the theme of free love. Rajan Krishnan’s ‘Memorial’, acrylic on canvas, Zakkir Hussain’s diptych, ‘For a Proposed Trail’, mixed media on paper, N.N. Rimzon’s Kerala centric works, ‘Chimmini Near Pond’ and ‘Shrine Under the Stars,’ are a tribute to the land. “It is a salute from 14 top artists,” says Dilip about the show. Gopikrishna’s animal imagery, the surrealistic melding of avian and the animal, a leitmotif in his oeuvre is carried forward in the present work. Baiju Parthan’s ‘Exit 1,2,3’, and Abul Kalam Azad are the other two artists whose works add to the richness of this maiden show.
The book Artist Undone by V.Sanjay Kumar, writer and proprietor of Sakshi Art was released at the opening.
GalleryOED in the past two years, the period of its transition to this new venue, has been involved with Art Chennai and continues to work in association with them. Its art calendar for the coming year is replete with a range of exhibits which will showcase art in ways not savoured here before, informs Dilip.
The show is on till August 14 and the gallery timings are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m
