Today's artists lack the confidence and courage to express their creative talents and want to remain ‘average' by merely imitating great works of arts, noted sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman has said.
He was joined by eminent artists Katoor Narayana Pillai and K.K. Rajappan in an informal discussion on importance of art workshops and the present trend in art education on the sidelines of a painting workshop conducted for schoolchildren in the city on Saturday in connection with the birth centenary celebrations of K.C.S. Panicker.
“The freest form of art is painting, yet many do not have the courage to create their own works and often restrict themselves for fear of rejection. While foreigners have the confidence to pursue their interest and to nurture their talents, we just want to make average works. Not one person had encouraged me during the 43 years of my struggle to establish myself as an artist. But if you have confidence and courage, you can contribute to society,” said Mr. Kunhiraman. Today parents attach more importance to their children winning competitions rather to improving their innate talents. Hence, parents should be given awareness classes first.
Workshops too
Competitions, according to Mr. Pillai, are important but equally important are the seminars and workshops that help to shape one's talent.
Art classes in schools created only “copy artists,” not painters. Students needed proper coaching for improving their own style, not for copying another's.
“However, even in such an art form where one can experiment with his/her creativity, there are strict rules to pass the ‘art exam,'” added Mr. Kunhiraman.
“Children are not given the freedom to experiment. If proper art education is being aimed at, then schools need an artist teacher and not an art teacher,” he said.
According to artist K.K. Rajappan, such workshops are important because they are the platform through which senior artists share their styles and techniques, acquired through experience, to the younger generation. Hence students should make use of such opportunities and parents should encourage them to attend such sessions, he said before concluding the discussion.
