Meet the artists
A V ILANGO
A.V. Ilango
A.V. Ilango made his debut in 1973 on completing his Masters in Mathematics at the Bangalore University.
Inspired by his childhood memories, he set off with a colourful palette.
From seven to sixteen years, he had spent his childhood in Gobichettipalayam, a market town in the hinterland of Tamil Nadu. Besides human figure, the artist has been studying for the past few years, the most familiar animals of the Indians. According to him, cows and bulls form the very idiom of primitive, folk and classical arts of India. Now Ilango goes beyond the bull which is the mascot of Lord Shiva, called Nandhi. In hindu philosophy, the bull symbolizes the human prowess. In everyday life, it is used as beast of burden and for transport, sport, manure, hide, meat and milk. Many sketches and paintings bring out the subtle harmony in these compositions.
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DAKSHA
Dakshayani B
The multifaceted work of Daksha examines creative decision, constructive process and deep insights. Having taken a post-graduation in Masters in Fine Arts her foundations in academia are reflected strongly in her works .Daksha delved into the world of study of museums and she completed her Inter-Disciplinary Doctorate in Labour studies and History of Fine Arts .Her work was titled “Labour Museology in Railways” where she documented the lives of indentured labourers who travelled from Southern parts of India to South Africa in the famous ship “KORAMAGA” to work in sugarcane fields and laying of Railroads .After a sabbatical from Arts She has now come a full circle after taking time off to venture into business in the organised sector and has recommenced her journey in Art or Art’s sake . Daksha has started working in oils and set out to portray the labour intensive lives and risk taking lives of the fisherfolks in this solo exhibition.
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PRIYA PATTATHIL
Priya Pattathil
Hailing from Southern India, Priya Pattathil is inspired by the cultural and ritualistic art forms of Kerala, her native state. As a biotechnologist, the sciences influence Priya’s style of painting. Through this journey from science to art, Priya has developed her own unique artistic process to express her creativity. Priya is captivated by the kaleidoscope of colors of her native land, combined with her life experiences that influence storytelling via her paintings.
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THEJO MENON
Thejo Menon
After completing her Masters in Fine Arts from Stella Maris College in Chennai she took to teaching and became Head of the Dept of JBAS College in Chennai. Held more than 100 shows both group and individual and won many awards including the prestigious International Award for contemporary paintings in France in 2006.
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I am a figurative painter, and I have dealt with the absence of complexities in relationships by creating metaphorical and idealistic imagery. My imagery is all-important as they range from stoic, solid male forms to swaying, suggestive female ones and how they blend and bond with twists and turns, albeit in a linear fashion. They are overlaid with the brightest and sharpest of jewel colours.
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GITA HUDSON
Gita Hudson
Trained in Art with a Masters degree in Psychology, Gita’s works has been part of many exhibitions since early 90’s.She has been consistently showcasing her works in India and abroad. Her paintings are semi-abstract with the suggestion of a female form, architecture, musical instruments, or some combination of these elements. They simultaneously explore color, texture, line and form, not as juxtapositions or layers but as integral to one another. Her take on Tamilnadu Temple Murals in recent years has been widely written about.Gita is the Curator for Dakshianchitra Heritage Museum, Galleries, Chennai.
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SWAPNA REDDY
Swapna Reddy
For Chennai based Indian artist, Swapna Reddy, each artwork is akin to a spiritual pilgrimage. Guided by her deeply rooted Indian instinct, Swapna’s works display her quest for the eternal truth. Mundane yet sacred, intellectual yet contemplative symbols, motifs, patterns, myth and geometry manifest in her work celebrating the spirit of man and Nature.
Given the increasingly modern slant and global context of civilizations, which are morphing into a homogenous whole, Swapna’s works which explore the complexities of nature while borrowing from ancient cultures and world heritage gain added meaning; leaving an indelible imprint.
SHARMEEN AFSANA
Sharmeen
Having been growing up in a developing country and a sensitive and creative individual, the city life has affected and made an impact on me as an artist. The bustling and hustling of the city has left a lasting impression on me. When in the process of searching for a motif and after several deliberations, I created lines and forms that depict the restlessness of the city. When I made drawings based on my environment, I could not help but bring in the traffic, the rush hour and various types of transportation. Being an artist I always try to search for a soul in all these through light, colors and forms and this has created a journey for me in this genre for the past 10 years by creating many works and inturn exhibitions.
I still continue this journey simplifying the space and time by creating a visual emotion.
BO SAILESH
Shailesh B O
I all ways involved myself in Painting, Sculpture, Installation and Video art.
Paintings and Sculptures are an age-old tradition and so is yoga. But man relates yoga to spirituality. I depict the yogic postures in my sculptures. I try to bring out the different yogic Asnas and the beauty of the human body.
My creations are paradigm for my emotions and intuitions to interplay and interact through the iconic form of the human body. The versatility of the human form finds expression in “Sportive feats” offering balance of spirit and body.
PRAMILA GOPINATH
Pramila Gopinath
Pramila Gopinath, has been painting since her school days in Delhi, however, it was only after moving to Chennai and under the tutelage of Mr. AV Ilango that the artist in her fully blossomed.
Pramila has chosen the Swan as her subject, a bird which has fascinated her all along. The majestic look of the Swan and the grace with which it swims in water are remarkable expressions. The impression that one gets of the Swan’s movements in water is one of the bird floating away carefree and effortlessly and enjoying every moment of the journey. In Indian mythology too, a swan is referred as Paramahamsa, one who has the ability to separate milk from water.
In short, the Swan, to the artist, symbolizes grace, purity, dreams and transformation and these are the elements that Pramila wants to express through her paintings. By painting Hamsa, the Swan, Pramila has attempted to show how we carry our relationships throughout our lives and finally like the Swan, fly away on a solo flight detached from everyone and everything.
M. SENATHIPATHI
M Senathipathi
It should be evident to consider my work, as a continuation of the age old and ancient forms, evolving out of the Hindu Pantheon or iconography.
The gap has been bridged with perhaps only the subject matter as its variation. While the method of treatment has significantly changed, the occidental imagery has remained constant. The novelty in the treatment and the subject matter is contemporary. But what might to interesting is the change from the myth to the present that exists in the day to day life. While the metal was reduced to images in bronze and brass, as in stone sculptures or as reliefs, that remained to adorn the temple walls, pillars, floors, doorways and the ceiling, it continues to remain an excellent work of the past even today. In my work I have never ceased to be a mythologist, but the present has held in my thoughts, a certain concern for the human condition. To voice this mood I have depicted in my metal reliefs, as also my paintings, concepts which relate to insecurity in life.
In depicting these expressions, I also deal with beauty and the human behavior such as affection that makes life more meaningful today.
S.SARAVANAN
Saravanan
In my early days of the '80s, I recall travelling from Saidapet to Cholamadal Artist's Village with my father, senior Artist M. Senathipathi, on a motorcycle.
I got an opportunity to interact with Cholamadal Artists who lived and worked in their studios. Our family shifted to Cholamandal when I was studying 7th grade.
This Cholamandal environment and my father's studio encouraged me to start art. I started practising in the early '90s with the guidance of my father. Whenever I got holidays and free time, I painted abstract forms in different mediums like watercolour on paper and acrylic on handmade paper and canvas.
I have created a Tribal Village series and a Dream Series. I am creating metal reliefs (Repousse) in the same subject as well as a Mythology series. My works have been shown in all major exhibitions in India and are in collections in India and abroad
Aishwarya R
Aishwarya R
Aishwarya’s intense passion for life, and ability to render it visually, has helped carve her journey as an artist. Her analytical skill as an artist has encouraged her to approach forms in great detail. Aishwarya’s natural fascination for wildlife, especially tigers, got her to creating realistic works of art, depicting the underlying tenderness and regality of our national animal in a plethora of colours. These have been exhibited in many shows across the country in the recent past. With the peril the animal is facing, in being one of the most endangered species in India, Aishwarya’s canvas and palette aim to increase awareness! This has brought out the creative side of the artist in recent years, with the Tiger as her symbol. In her artworks, she has captured the spirit of the tiger and expressed her inborn love for the animal. Aiming towards the simplification of space, line, and form; she brings out the grandiose of the Tiger as a visual treat to the viewer.
Aishwarya R, a Biomedical Engineer and an evolving artist from Chennai, has been pursuing her passion for art for the last twelve years. She started learning the nuances of creative drawing and painting from the eminent artist Mr. A. V. Ilango, under whom she continues to train.
K.BALASUBRAMANIAN
Bala
Bala’s works instantly strike as simplistic patterns in
mesmerizing monotones, but when we dwell on these
large paintings for a longer period, one can find tantric art forms, Hindu icons, maths and philosophy are all emerging from the canvas as one family in multiple yet they grow to be vibrant, in spite of subdued golds, browns, reds and others. His paintings resonate tranquillity reflecting his own
self in a way.
DIMPLE B SHAH
Dimple B Shah
Dimple B Shah is a practising multidisciplinary artist from Bangalore, studied at MS University, Baroda; her art practice has developed in Painting, Printmaking, Installation and Performance Art. She has worked in various residencies like Virtual Canvas International online residency Krupa Gallery Wrocław Poland, The Art house UK, Villa Welbreta, Germany, Space Studio, Baroda, Glasgow Print Studio UK, Printmakers Studio Mumbai & Baroda and Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy. She has been honoured with National & International Awards among them ROSL International Residency UK 2019, Villa Welbreta Residency by Municipal corporation of Munich 2017, India Foundation for the Arts grant for project 560, 2014, Afiriperforma International Residency, Lagos, Nigeria 2013, First Gold Prix in 7th Engraving Biennale, Versailles 2009, National Award, LKA, Government of India 2008, Commonwealth Arts & Crafts Award, UK 2005, Arunawaz Award 2004, Junior Fellowship, HRD, Govt.2000/2. She is practising Live Performance art for the last 20 years and has widely performed in International performances Festivals and Biennales in Zurich, Paris, Munich, Gothenburg, and Lagos, Colombo and Dhaka and many places in India.
REMYA KUMAR
Remya Kumar
Remya Kumar is an Architect by a professional qualification, but ever since she began seriously painting in the summer of 2009, art has become her chosen means of creative expression, and now her profession.
She has always found joy in painting and sketching from a young age. However, it was when she began learning art at the Ohio State University (alongside studying for her Masters in Urban Planning) that she realized art was more than just a hobby.
“For me, painting is the most effortless means of truly being in the present moment. I love the challenge of a blank canvas, the promise that it holds, and thrill of experiencing a work of art blossom from that emptiness. I feel painting is most joyous when it is spontaneous and intuitive; Where one stroke of the palette knife beckons the next, one colour asks for another, and the process is unforced. I don’t let my prejudices get in the way of my intuition, and love the happy surprises that happen almost by themselves. Nature as a subject has lent itself beautifully to my style of painting.”– Artist Remya Kumar on her process
G LATHA
G Latha
The ambiguity of form emerges from darkness. The images become relevant if their energy is oriented through visualization. Her journey is to attain the search within herself. The search that goes beyond cultural, racial and gender barriers. People and their relationship is a source of her inspiration. She feels the colors act on our minds and influence our feelings. Colors determine the nature and our life.
The works are about Bhakthi series. Bhakthi is love. According to her, Love is affection, devotion, truth, kindness, patience or trust. The inner soul brings out the true beauty of love. But, in today’s world, everything is camouflaged by the external beauty, fame and wants in life and one ignores the vital aspect in understanding the true beauty of love. The bonding with her family and her realization of the inner soul are depicted in her works. The moods & emotions of the women at various stages in her life are portrayed in finding the beauty of her inner soul through bhakthi.
JACOB
Jacob Jebaraj
Most of my work carries inspiration from upcycling, sustainable art materials. Which leads me to experiment with new concepts both in paintings and sculptures and installations. I have widely experimented with various exposure in serigraph techniques and using pigments blended with binders.
Multiple layers of serigraph are my strength in creating my artworks. My recent exploration in creating a space with a collage of sustainable -upcycling – vernacular architectural practice. Thus giving it a play of cultural and indigenous style of architecture.
With my new innovation for creating an art research centre to open possibilities for upcoming artists and design students to learn new art techniques and work on their projects with all the modern equipment needed yet emphasising on traditional tools and techniques.
Since 2007 I have been working with children who are differently-abled, mentoring them to create their continuous and constructive path in art.
KANTHI
Kanthi
Kanthi has been mentored by eminent artists like M G DODDAMANI and A V ILANGO through her journey as an artist . Her journey to these works have seen her developing her understanding of the nuances of space , composition and visual expressions of her emotions . As her technique evolved over the years , her works simplified , eventually leading to experiments in three dimensional sculptures in bronze . Her paintings are expressions of her life experiences , after all we all go through life rich in unique experiences . She has been part of several successful group shows and a solo show .
MANISHA RAJU
Manisha
In my work there is a search for a nostalgic era , Indian Mythology. Mythology has a core source
of values, culture, tradition, conceptual, ideology & aesthetics, which has a great impact on me.
These impressions create existence & negotiate with my space. My lyricism is an expression of
mythological forms. The existing energy within the form & its line rhythm is a real
manifestation. With rhythm there is a deep silence along. That’s the emphasis to gaze at the
works. This silence reflects on the viewer's hearts. That is a great achievement of any art form.
The core approach of my work deals with female existence, her power & its unlimited existence
in every era. The way women carry herself metaphysically and her known unknown,
noticed-unnoticed struggle, throughout her life. The true value of a human being is determined
by the measure and the sense in which they have obtained liberation from the self. Indian
mythology has had a great impact on me. It is my varied approach that provides me with a
different perspective to look at the same things.
HEMALATHA
Hemalatha
I desire to bring SCULPTURES into reality an object which expresses our dreams, aspirations and which is a part of ourselves. I am merely in my own way continuing this tradition of Frontal & Three-dimension Sculptures. I have delicately drawn peacocks with enamel on welded copper, and a variety of playful Ganesha sculptures with splashes of riotous colour in enamel. Common themes run across the metal works, from the mythological to abstract renderings of animal and bird forms, evocative human figures as well as masks inspired by African tribal art.
I draw my inspiration from concepts found in nature, birds and various elements in Hindu mythology. It is my passion to create sculptures in a contemporary mode. It’s my zeal to bring out historical significance in each piece and to contextualize ideas from classical narratives within the framework of my personal experience and understanding. It is for the beholder to judge whether I have indeed created a body of work that is both impressive in its presentation and significant in the message that I seek to convey.
PRIYA ILANGO
Priya Ilango
Priya Ilango’s earliest memories of growing up in the South Indian city of Chennai remains steeped in art and aesthetics. Watching her father and celebrated artist, A V Ilango, ruminating on the quintessence of the elusive line, drawing out robust forms from its earthy, rural roots and tempering them with ethereal elegance on large canvases, or reflecting on the vitality of the spirit of art in its varied forms were amongst Priya’s foundational artistic influences. Over time these influences have grown deep roots that have defined her art.
Drenched in an unselfconscious sensuality, Priya Ilango’s visual forms reach out for the sublime. Polar opposites juxtapose to unlock the experience of the Beyond. Like the unabashed lotus blossom in a desolate marsh, the Pure is tainted with the Impure, the Impure cleansed by the Pure.
Priya’s art finds an increasing resonance with the greater mainstream awareness of mystical traditions of tantra and yoga. Her abiding fascination for the esoteric Indian traditions like classical music, tantra, yoga sutras shape compelling visual forms.
Priya was awarded M.A. in Fine Arts, with specialization in textile design from Stella Maris College, Chennai, (2004). Her proprietary label
Priya Ilango Designs, showcases works on natural fabrics. Priya is based in Bangalore, India.
NARENDRA BABU
Narendra Babu
Narendra Babu’s collection of paintings draws inspiration from the colours, images, flora
and fauna that are an integral part of Nature. Every painting has subjects in a dream
sequence with no particular order or position within each frame so as to create an interest
in the viewer’s perception. His paintings are mostly centered around women playing a
pivotal role in the midst of man and nature, as every form revels in the celebration of life. In
his ‘Dream Celebration” series, human relationships are depicted along with the need to
connect with birds and animals from the animal kingdom that inspire his imagination. Narendra Babu’s almost child-like creations does not conform to the natural colours of birds
and animals that Nature has bestowed. This whimsical approach lifts the viewer to another
realm of imagination. His narrative style of paintings in Acrylic medium is used in small
format works, that he has skilfully presented, having acquired experience from four decades
of his visual art journey. He has created many works during the difficult time of the
Pandemic which are on display in this Solo Show.
VINITHA ANAND
Vinitha Anand
Vinitha Anand was born in 1964 in Thiruvananthapuram, and painting has been a passion for her
since childhood. Her painting talents were honed by renowned artist Shri B.D.Dethan and Vinitha’s
deftness in sculpture owes much to the lessons obtained from sculptor, V.Satheesan.
She had actively participated in the art retreats led by famed artist A.V. Ilango of Tamil Nadu. Her
interactions with the master painter helped her understand the deeper meaning ingrained in art
forms. For her it was a tryst with something that she had been searching for long.
During her more than three decades of artistic journey, Vinitha could accomplish over a dozen of
solo exhibitions and several group exhibitions in and out of the country.
Her paintings are invitations to engage in a celestial rendezvous with peace and
happiness stocked in our inner mind.
Displayed during this exhibition will be a number of her works that represent music and its divine
influence. In this series titled “Symphony of Silence”, we feel that her subtle lines and forms are an
embodiment of music and the beautiful silence that exist between two notes. We find the lines to be
yarns made of soulful aalaps that pacify hearts. Vinitha's works give a feel of an expressive music
tacitly emanating, prompting a serene discourse between viewers and paintings.
SEEMAB ZAHEERA
Seemab Zaheera
Seemab Zaheera’s style of painting ranges between surrealistic imagery and minimalistic line
drawings. Having two distinct themes, the ant and the female form, her pallete ranges from the
earthy tones of South India to the deep blues of the oceans surrounding Indonesia.
She has won the International Award for Contemporary Art from Société Lyonnaise des Beaux
Arts and made it to the finals of Bangur Endowment held in India.
Her paintings are part of the collection of the World Bank as well as Lanson Toyota.
Born in Chennai, a significant part of her life was spent in Indonesia and currently lives and works
in Nashik, India.
SELVA SENTHIL KUMAR
Selva Senth
In my previous exhibition, I explored the face of a human being, a life form endowed with six senses, using the form of the inanimate auto. Inspired by the poetry of all forms of life, I embrace life and continue my quest in myriad ways.
When I create a dot with my conscious mind and transform it into a line, a deep emotion arises in the subconscious mind that pulls the line hither and thither on the canvas and creates an art work out of it.
Nature, the interaction between different living beings, the creations of other artists and the various emotions that arise in my mind as a result of these find a place on my canvas.
Water, a material so transparent and pure attracts me and probably induces me to work with watercolours. I let my emotions flow fluidly through colour and settle as forms on my canvas.
ELAIYARAJA
S. A. V. Elaiyaraja
I am S.A.V ELAIYARAJA artist, I have completed my bachelor's degree in fine art. My primary medium of work is water colour. Can easily do hyper realism through the medium which is quite rare. Have kept a number of exhibition individually and as a group. Our notable shows are as follows; two man show at jehangir art gallery at Mumbai held back in 2015. Two man show alliance Francis show held in pondicherry 2016. And, lalit kala academy in Chennai, 2010.
ELIYABARATHY
S. A. V. Elaiyabarathy
I am S.A.V ELAIYABARATHY artist, I have completed my bachelor's degree in fine art. I am mastered in water, acrylic and oil medium. Can easily do hyper realism through the above said mediums which I can proudly can say I can do it flawless. Have kept a number of exhibition individually and as a group. Our notable shows are as follows; two man show at jehangir art gallery at Mumbai held back in 2015. Two man show alliance Francis show held in pondicherry 2016. And, lalit kala academy in Chennai, 2010.
UMA B
Artist
I am a fine arts graduate who has been in the design field for the last 19years and now am an art therapist. Art and design has always been a strong and easy form of expression. I have evolved from making “beautiful art “ to expressing from the subconscious, from rigidity to spontaneity and from predictability to unpredictability.
This is my new journey where am “Processing “ my past and my present.
K. MURALIDHARAN
K Muralidharan
Surrealism and mythology are a potent combination and these are what define a lot of the work achieved by the intense K. Muralidharan, whose early life was determined by tales of yore and that of gods and goddesses. In his own words he is what he calls himself a ‘refined surrealist’ – and this factor enables him to achieve a grand parade of gorgeous images that probably won’t fit into a conventional description.
Whether it is the landscape, animals or the deity with such spectacularly large and serene eyes, everything is tinged with the other world demeanour that make everything almost magical and marvelous. It is childlike and innocent in the way that they present themselves to the oblivion of reason. They simply exist in isolation and in relationship with all the other objects on the canvas.
Growing up in Thanjavur, the heart of tales and mythology, he also sought to deviate from the very traditional. While it served as a springboard of his images and potential presentation, Muralidharan seeks to create his own language and grammar in the world of colour and images.
SHAMLEE
Shamlee
Shamlee was a national award winning child actor who continued gracing the silver screen as well. Her passion for life took her into other art forms like dance and painting, and the passion turned into a pursuit of excellence in both the fields. At a certain point there came a confluence of both the art forms and dance and expressions started flowing into her paintings. After all the years of seeing her in a motion picture, she visualised herself now in a colourful, liberated, frozen frame. Her women are in a constant state of dance epitomising the artist’s free soul. Her women represent an ideal that wants to break free from societal conditions. Her women represent what a woman can be and not what she should be. Her tireless commitment, relentless practice and tenacious attitude have led her to create art that is original, expressive and straight from the heart.
DOUGLAS
C Douglas
C. Douglas (b.1951) is the rarest of the rare Indian modernist artists who can capture his emotions in lines, colours, abstractions, and figurative allegories. Writing about Douglas’ early works, art critic Josef James records that instead of drawing and then colouring his works, Douglas went on to find abstractions with patterns, rhythms, and structures through brush strokes and colour values. The formal devices in his paintings, the grids, triangles, frames and horizontal lines had a rigorous and rigid formal beauty. When he was a student in the Madras College of Arts in the 1970s, Douglas would say that he learnt his draughtsmanship from his friend, K. Ramanujam, the principle of exposing the line from his teacher Santhanaraj, and the ideas of Madras movement from K.C.S. Paniker with whom he moved to the Cholamandal artist’s village.
N. MANOHARAN
Manoharan
Manoharan challenges the dominant style variations of Modernism and Postmodernism by presenting themes that include rural sites, domestic animals especially goats in linear figure compositions and drawing. The continuing attraction of an animal for artists is the perception that in some way it is aligned with creativity. Perhaps subconsciously the artist is also dealing directly with his own persona, which emerges through artistic expression. While the goat may be taken for granted because it exists everywhere in rural areas, its presence in art evokes several layers of meaning; the goat is sensitive, but it can also symbolize victory, overt sexuality and religious activity. Manohar’s goats are individualized and possess human dimensions, indicating the uncanny relationship with animals he achieves by study and observation.
KAVITHA PRASAD
Kavitha Prasad
Kavitha Prasad, combines ideas, shades, shadows and lines to create works with great emotional range and depth. Her art speaks in many moods: reflective, reverent, whimsical, feminine, angry, outspoken, humorous, thoughtful, nostalgic and practical. Her eclectic use of pale and dark pigments, light and heavy overlays, flowing and almost grid-like lines, and small and large formats signify her as an artist who continues to evolve and experiment.
She studied architecture at the prestigious Anna University School of Architecture, and the level of detail in her work reflects her architectural training.
Kavitha studied Visual Arts at the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, Kalakshetra Foundation.
She is currently working as a studio artist at the Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai.
“I enjoy the quiet seclusion and introspective time art gives me. I always feel invigorated later,” she says.
Kavitha’s evocative work has won her many admirers and she has exhibited her works in solo and group exhibitions in India and abroad.