At Chennai’s Lalit Kala Akademi, colours converge to craft immersive stories at the Oviyam Pesu exhibit, a group show featuring a vast and diverse collection of work from 31 artists, who exude intense passion and extensive talent in equal parts.
Inaugurated on Wednesday, March 18, this debut showcase shaped entirely by a collective of artists pursuing various levels of fine arts study at Dessin Academy stretches across the enriching cultural tapestry of India as lived experiences, traditions and everyday moments from different parts of the country quietly unfold upon expansive canvases laden with soulful strokes of paint and a comforting sense of community.
Kalai Valarmani Mr R.Rajendran, the founder of Dessin Academy, says, ” There are many upcoming artists who try their best to find their footing in the art scene but find it difficult to survive in the long-term, as they don’t always know how to make a sale or get the art out into the public view. So, we started this group, Oviyam Pesu, so that artists have a platform to learn how to enter gallery spaces, figure out their signature style and how to sell their work. The aim is to help them create a strong portfolio and get experience through exhibitions. While this debut show consists only of work from those associated with Dessin Academy , we plan to do more, including artists outside of it as well, in future showcases.”
“We wanted to create the feeling that is our show, not just a show where we’re participated.” – S.V Ganes Kumar, Artist
S.V Ganes Kumar, a marketing professional with a deep love for learning the nuances of art, who took the initiative to bring the Oviyam Pesu collective to life, adds, “We didn’t want just to be about exhibiting the art, we wanted to be a platform that brought in people who are interested in art – in immersing themselves in it and even buying art for themselves. We wanted a platform to nurture the talents of artists and give them motivation to create more, knowing that their work is being seen and appreciated.”
With an overarching theme of Indian culture and traditions, the exhibit is one without any confines on creativity, as Ganes Kumar adds, “Boundaries shouldn’t be a shackle; they should give you more freedom, so the theme is only a guiding path.”
Ganes’ work at the exhibit captures the spirit of culture and tradition by depicting Pongal celebrations as well as the worship of bulls and cows in an acrylic on canvas piece underscored by an intriguing watercolour effect.
Traditions can often intertwine with a sense of nostalgia, as showcased by Uma Maheswari A‘s bold work. Placing Marappachi dolls at the centre of her paintings, Uma aims to revive a dying traditional South Indian craft of wooden dolls with a contemporary twist.
She says, “Growing up as a single child for a decade of my life, my grandparents and parents gave me Marappachi dolls as a companion, which is where I believe my creativity has come from. These wooden dolls have been designed to spark imagination. The form of these dolls comes with a gap between the arm and body, which means you can dress up your dolls in ways that you want, making them unique to you.”
“Since the culture is fading away, I wanted to do my bit for it and transform Marappachi dolls into paintings. Every house may not have space for wooden dolls, but every house has a wall, so this way you can embrace, preserve and celebrate the cultural roots in a contemporary form.”
Artists like Rekha Murugesan, Gavya Gunasekaran and Visalachi (alias Jeya) continue this narrative of regional expression, bringing in elements of their hometown traditions.
Gavya Gunasekaran, an engineer who eventually found her true calling in art, brings rituals from her hometown, Theni, to life with vibrant hues elevated by a shimmering play of lights.
With themes of love at the centre of every piece she paints, Gavya’s work at this exhibit, capturing the culture of Theni, is as rich in tradition as it is in aesthetics. Showcasing the inviting ceremony and the farewell ceremony of the monsoon seasons in Theni, her work is an enchanting blend of hyperlocal rituals and a globally resonant sense of romanticism.
She says, ” I always fall for the beauty of these rituals ; the lights, the decor, the atmosphere and of course the rain as well. These are rituals, but for me, it’s less about spirituality. Instead, I romanticise these days and represent parts of myself and these feelings in my work.”
Flowing straight from the romantic layers of Gavya’s representation of Theni to Rekha Murugesan‘s fluid encapsulation of Madurai, we can almost scent the petrichor as the theme of monsoon continues.
Rekha’s work represents the Mulaipari celebration in Madurai, a traditional Tamil harvest ritual at the beginning of the monsoon to celebrate fertility and agricultural prosperity.
A stunning example of visual storytelling that balances simplicity and narrative layers, she explains the ritual, ” In our hometown, we grow sprouts in the dark and after seven days, it’s submerged in water, increasing oxygen levels of the stagnant water, and this in turn helps reduce the spread of diseases during season changes.”
Meanwhile, Visalachi finds herself slowly developing a signature inspired by her hometown, Tirunelveli, incorporating and reinterpreting terracotta sculptures through acrylics on canvas.
More than the artwork itself, for a young artist like Visalachi, exhibiting only her second show, Oviyam Pesu stands out as a space of creative liberty. She says, ” Despite being one of the youngest members of the team, the friendly, supportive vibe of the collective also translates into my work ; I am able to express myself freely on the canvas as well without fear, pressure or constraints.”
Yet another artist shaping her signature is Sandhiya B, whose beaded installation weaves contemporary expression with hints of South Indian culture. The serenity of blue and green tones backdrops the imagery of a temple surrounded by Nandi, a majestic elephant, an elegant peacock and blossoming flowers delivering deep devotion with soothing hues.
Speaking of the intricate piece that took about 250 hours to complete, she says,”The composition reflects harmony between nature, culture and spirituality with each bead carefully placed to tell a story of balance and timeless tradition.”
If Sandhiya’s artwork captures a story of serenity, artists Padmini B and Sharmila R tap into meditative calm in the process of art as a whole.
Padmini, a paediatric nurse and OET/IELTS trainer who has consistently nurtured a dream of being an artist, presents two works rooted in contemporary folk art, laden with a touch of femininity, but beyond that, there is a sense of calm reflected amid the bold colours.
Describing art as “meditation, Padmini reflects on feeling a sense of emptiness after resigning from her job to find peace in her love for art that she has carried since childhood and now transforming it into her full-time profession.
She says, “When I am working on my art, I become so completely immersed in it and forget everything else,” adding, “But it’s also a space for expression and emotion, which allows me to channel my own feelings while connecting with others as well.”
Evoking a sense of tenderness with her brushstrokes, Sharmila, who pursued computer science, always dabbled in art as a hobby, but it was postpartum depression that saw her find true solace in it. Her work embodies gentleness and strength equally, almost reflecting her own journey with a hint of resonance.
She says, ” After joining Dessin Academy and pursuing art more regularly, my mood immediately shifted. To me, art is not a profession; it is my soul’s purpose. I simply want to enjoy the colours, the process and the peace that comes with knowing I’ve found my calling.”
From some artists translating stories of their hometown from their hearts onto a canvas to others that get a chance to unravel their innermost emotions within the depths of paint, Oviyum Pesu has also involved each artist involved at every step of the process beyond just making art, with Ganes explaining, “We wanted to create the feeling that is our show, not just a show where we’re participated.”
This is only the beginning for the collective, as Ganes also reveals, ” We would like to take it to different cities and expand with more artists and galleries. From in and around Chennai to more places in South India and eventually pan-India.”
A confluence of creative souls who invite us into their world with genuine kindness and warmth, Oviyum Pesu, which translates to “art that speaks,” whispers vivid stories that immediately find a place in our hearts.
Giving talented artists the space to showcase their work, but also giving visitors the chance to express curiosity, give our interpretations and feel like a part of their community, Oviyum Pesu is free of cost to visit and will be showing till March 24 from 11 am-6.30 pm at Lalit Kala Akademi, Greams Road, Chennai.
(Images courtesy of Malvika Padin, with contribution from JeyasArt)
Will you be visiting the Oviyum Pesu exhibit? Check out more art coverage from around the globe on Lyrical Muse.
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