The avant-garde brothers: Joy Mathew and John Mathew

Kozhikode: “Do you know why we stick to the creative world?” asked Johns Mathew, stopping me as I was about to leave. “Maybe happiness,” I answered. “Then tell me what happiness is.” 

Before I could reply, Joy Mathew chimed in, “Happiness is life”.

The Mathew brothers have found happiness throughout their life, even during their hardest times. They always had a trustworthy companion to combat it; the companion called art. Art assumed different roles in their life; Joy became a noted theatre and film personality, while his younger brother Johns transformed into a well-known sculptor, who shuttles between India and Greece.

Theatre and painting were in their blood.

“We received our initial inspiration from our family, as from childhood we exhibited an inclination towards art. While Johns randomly drew pictures, I used to present dramas for my siblings. But when we grew up, we both got addicted to our interests and it was fueled by political activism,” said Joy Mathew. “Though we work in different areas, our works have a similarity. Both can be associated with left political movement. Even now, we send out anti-establishment messages,” said Johns.

An avid art collector and enthusiast, Joy introduced Johns to the world of painting. “He used to bring me old books on paintings. A book he gave me, particularly, Master Painting Collections, hugely influenced me in the latter part of my life,” said the younger brother.

Joy Mathew’s efforts weren’t futile, as his brother’s ability to draw and sculpt improved greatly. “He used to draw and make the posters for my political activism. He also sculpted a head, a prop for my play, ‘Mediterranean Sea’. He has illustrated the cover of the books I have written. Besides, he also serves as an immediate replacement for the actors, who go missing at the last moment of my plays,” Joy recalled.

While Joy Mathew continued his love for dramas and later went to Dubai for a job, Johns carried on with his political activism by becoming a member of Radical Painters and Sculptors Association during his stay in Baroda for his education. He then moved to Greece at the invitation from a Greek, he befriended in Kochi.

“Though we had been to different places, the love for our hometown was intact. Usually most of the themes we select are universal and it branches out from a single entity, our hometown — Kozhikode. But lately, I have done work with more international themes” explains the sculptor.

Though not an accomplished theatre personality, Johns has also written two plays, which haven’t played in front of an audience. Meanwhile, Joy admits that he is a total failure in painting and sculpting. “Johns will give me a good critique of my work. Before starting my film Shutter I gave the script to Johns for his opinion,” said Joy.