“Panchamukhi” is a paintings exhibition being held at Vernissage Art Gallery, Panampilly Nagar, Cochin from 02nd October – 25th October 2010 by five accomplished artists.
Once Again, it is a rare treat for the art lovers of Cochin from Vernissage, where five renowned artists have brought their art together to explore womanhood and its intriguing facets through their creative expressions.
Asma Menon, Lakshmi Srinath, Manisha Raju, Razia Tony and Thejo Menon are five Chennai based artists who have previously held joint exhibitions under the same theme in Coimbatore and have been widely reviewed and acclaimed.They have all held several successful solo and joint shows in India and abroad and have won accolades for their artwork both at home and abroad. Their works of art are part of private collections and displayed in reputed art galleries. Their artworks have sold through international auction houses.
The five artists explore and express their creativity through figurative narration on canvas with distinct and unique styles.
ASMA MENON
Born in Chennai in 1961, Asma graduated from Govt. College Arts & Crafts, Chennai in 1983 and did her post graduate training in Fine Arts in 2001.
From a very young age, she knew that she was destined to be an artist. Her heritage can be traced back to “Sayani’s”, the people from Mount Sinai on her great grandfather’s side, who hailed from Gujarat.
Married to a Keralite, she feels that as Indians, we are much closer to nature through our practice of age old customs and traditions.
She feels, life as an artist is akin to clairvoyance, delving deep into the conscious and sub terrains of the psyche. It is this unending fathomless ocean that gives rise to artistic passions.
In her own words: “As an artist and a woman I feel akin to the embodiments bestowed on Pandora, for without curiosity where my work would be, for without love how would one express, for without creativity how will I journey in my caravan of dreams and hopes.”
In her art, she incorporates, the most diverse features fusing them in a powerful visual result. From primitive, almost pre-symbolic repetitive strokes to highly sophisticated mythological quotations, trees, animals, as well as human and divine figures appear, fluctuate and melt in her images. Her art creates a unique solution that unites the past with the present, with no apparent contrast.
As an artist and printmaker, Asma has had more than 12 solo shows, 20 international events and participated in over 40 group shows and art camps.
Her many accolades include :
Vijay Rattan Award for contribution as an Artist to Society.
Senior fellow ship award for year 2005-2007
Tamilnadu state award for printmaking
MANISHA RAJU
Born in 1969, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Manisha is an artist from Cholamandal Artist Village, Chennai.
She has done Ph.D. in Management but deep passion towards art led her to dedicate herself to the field of painting.
Her expression is distinctively figurative with minimalist elements.
She was fond of color and forms from early childhood and used to sketch whatever she could see, sense and feel.
She was greatly influenced and inspired by Dadasaheb Deshmukh, who was a Fellow at Shantiniketan, West Bengal. Her interest in traditional art and mythology reflects the influence of Bengal School of Arts.
Coming to Cholamandal, Chennai in 1997, guided and enhanced her creative journey and potential.
She feels that painting is the reflection of one’s true feelings, ideas & imaginations.
In her own words: “Nature has infinite source of energy, which inspires me to paint. The process of painting is the moment of total involvement for me. The core philosophy for my lyricism is self interaction and search beyond the physical existence. Female power and her role in contemporary time frame fascinates me to express myself. I always try to focus on the existence of silence within and getting aloof from the noises around, which reflects in my work quite predominantly.”
Her expression is distinctively figurative with minimalist elements. Human figure and its metaphysical existence is the core concept of her work.
She has participated in numerous solo and group shows. Her artworks are part of collections in India and abroad.
This recent body of her work is based on Navagrahas, considered to be gods located in every corner of the Hindu temples. People have great belief in its impact on human life. This inspired her to conceptualize and develop ideas and forms with varied approach.
RAZIA TONY
Razia hails from Kochi, Kerala.
Born in 1957 into a family with strong artistic background in the fields of cinema, theatre, photography and painting, she was initiated into painting by her Grandfather and Guru late Chevalier Artist P.J. Cherian.
Razia received training in classical dance and music from very young age..
Razia did her BFA in painting from College of Fine Arts, Chennai. Her doctoral thesis is titled ‘An Aesthetic Appraisal of Raja Ravi Varma’s Art’.
She has taught Fine arts in colleges in Uttar Pradesh between 1990 and 1999 and moved to Chennai in 1999 and is currently teaching in the Fine Arts department of Stella Maris College. Currently, she lives and works in Chennai.
Due to the academic background, her expression of art is also an intellectualization of concepts.
In her own words : “Art, is the medium to transcend the frontiers of religion, culture and ethnicity and search for the all-pervading, transcendental super-consciousness through which I seek sublime harmony with myself, the world and the Absolute. Being the meeting ground for inner world of reality and the outer world of form, I believe that art can be the antidote that protects us from the angst and turmoil of the world.”
In the current series, an integral part of “Panchmukhi”, her art resonates with experiences of serenity, solitude and mystery that depict women as the primal force of nature caught in different moods.
The feminine sensibility and certain moods are evoked in these paintings through metaphors of nature and seasons.
The nayika bheda and ragamala paintings of Indian art where woman is depicted as symbolic, sensual and spiritual, has been an inspiration to paint this series.
The feminine forms in her paintings explore the beauty and rhythm of life through a symphony of forms, texture and light.
THEJO MENON
Born and educated in Chennai, Thejo has had the privilege of being a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.
Thejomaye, known as Thejo, did her M.A, M.Phil in Fine Arts from Stella Maris College, Chennai and currently works as a lecturer. She trained under Mr. A.V.Ilango from 1993-2003.
Music, dance and performing arts of Kerala had a great impact on her. Kathakali performances and visits to all the village deities in the remotest parts of Kerala are etched deeply in her memory.
Her early works are on such themes. Her palette is limited to a few colours drawn from the earthy tones typical of what we see in the country side of Kerala.
Purely figurative in style, the artist moves in the direction of simplification of forms into unpretentious shapes filled with color.
The colors are vibrant and lucid. Red and blue are present in nearly every painting and this recurring nature of the palette emphasizes the synergy of the series as a whole, reiterating the persistent motif of the male and female figures. Strong colors speak of powerful emotions, and the union of male and female energies is thus brought to the forefront. Line attempts to separate the colors thus enhancing the image by creating unity and clarity.
In her own words, “From 1996, my works are a reflection of my belief in the strong relationship between a man and a woman. Years may pass but the bond of this relationship is everlasting . Love, faith and understanding are the underlying codes by which a strong link is maintained .The first man and woman is depicted by my temptation series while the essence of relationships is portrayed in works like Tryst, FishMandy, etc. ”.
She has held several solo shows and participated in numerous group exhibitions.
She was awarded International Award For Contemporary Painting at the Salon Des Beaux Arts, Lyon in March 2006.
LAKSHMI SRINATH
Born in 1959, Lakshmi Srinath did her degree in Fine Arts, from Stella Maris College, Chennai.
Lakshmi Srinath has been in ardent pursuit of her art for many years, and has held several shows both in India and abroad.
In 2002, she was a participant in Salon de Printemps, held in the Societe Lyonnaise des beaux Arts, Lyons, France, was a recipient of the Prix de La Contemporaine award. She has also exhibited at the Nehru Centre, London in 2005.
She expresses her perceptions and interpretations of the deep-rooted traditions and belief systems in South India, which abound with, both elemental and conventionally orthodox rituals and ceremonies.
The turmeric, kumkum and vibhuthi, the yellow and white threads, the sari and dhoti, transcend beyond the mundane and the worldly to the spiritual realm of Shakthi and Shiva, symbolizing the relationship between man, woman and divinity.
Lakshmi Srinath is also a fashion designer, her use of traditional design and colour reflect her instinct for timeless ethnicity. She has designed costumes for dance theatre productions, dealing predominantly with themes centered on folk-lore and mythology.
Her well researched period costumes for Silappadhikaaram and Ekaantha Seetha had been acclaimed for their authenticity and elegance of colors and designs.
Earthy, culture related creativity in vivid colors and decorative elements give expression to her artwork
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