Chapter one of Meditations, an art exhibition by Dr Boban Ramesan, presently on at Vylopilly Samskrithi Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, presents a glimpse into what really impacts the artist — consciously and subconsciously. From depictions of frames impressed by legendary filmmakers Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak to photographs of dying and decay reflecting the continued battle in Gaza, the exhibition explores the non-public and the general public in a collection of untitled works. This chapter options 68 works and chapter two options 42 works.
Originally from Petta, Boban has been working as a household doctor in Brisbane, Australia, for a decade. He makes use of Italian Fabriano paper as his most popular canvas. His paint mediums embody oil paint, charcoal, pastels, pens, gouache (a water-based paint), chalk and graphite. “I have been using oil paint for the last 10 years. Before that, my preferred mediums were charcoal and graphite. I also started using pastels a few years ago. I never used colours when I began painting as I was used to monochromatic art,” says Boban.
Different artworks from Meditations
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
“I left the works untitled so that people can interpret it. I do have some ideas in my mind. If I feel differently tomorrow, I’ll change it,” says Boban, showcasing artworks compiled over the previous 12 months.
The self-taught artist describes his work as “mostly spontaneous”, placing down his ideas via his work, virtually like journalling on canvas. These embody his perceptions of locations, experiences, and occasions. For occasion, in one of his works, he portrays a rural space in West Bengal; regardless of not having travelled to the place, he has created a bit impressed by the films of Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak. Boban shows a shore and other people on it, invoking an picture of the fisherfolk.
A portray by Dr Boban Ramesan
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
Alienation seems to be a recurring theme. With charcoal as a medium, Boban has portrayed a grim, lonely setting in England. The work includes a tram subsequent to a solitary particular person.
Subjects embracing different individuals additional spotlight a way of loneliness or an absence of intimacy that many individuals usually crave. “A lot of lonely figures can be found in my work now; it appears as if I am confined to that space,” he says.
“Last year, I lost my sister, and a lot of those emotions reflect in my work. It helps me cope with sadness, as it is also said that art is therapeutic.” These artworks are dominated by shades of yellow and regardless of the character of the color representing happiness, they show loss and craving for his sister. Personal relationships or their absence turn into the leitmotif for the exhibition, which doesn’t have a central theme of any nature.
An paintings at Meditations by Dr Boban Ramesan
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
Boban additionally makes an attempt to revisit his desires via his art. The summary works function animals, objects and even the artist himself; they symbolize involuntary and incoherent fragments of the artist’s psyche, he believes. These dream sequences are colourful and include recurring components that set out the concept the works are interwoven.
Charcoal works by Boban Ramesan about battle and violence
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
A bit of 4 works in charcoal portrays violent imagery of conflicts taking place internationally, particularly in Gaza, says the artist. Lamenting moms and sights of decay introduced in shades of black are direct references to the grim actuality. On a better look, the dancing figures current a bunch of individuals making the most of such violence.
The exhibition and its second chapter at KCS Panicker Gallery, Museum, is on until June 22, 10 am to five pm.
