Beauty of Little things

People with magic in their hands can turn anything into a piece of art. Anything. Even onion peels! When Sasikala’s experiment became fruitful, she contributed something new to the world of art. An exhibition of her works has been going at the Lalithakala Akademi art gallery, Kozhikode, for the past three days.

Sasikala started doing this ‘onion peel art’ 30 years ago. She has conducted many exhibitions in different places and is pleased to hear good reviews about her works. People love her art and support. “I am indeed happy to find such supportive viewers here,” says Sasikala, hoping to conduct more exhibitions in Kozhikode.

A retired bank employee, earlier, Sasikala used to create her onion peel art forms after office hours. “I don’t have to spend anything to buy the raw material as I get enough of it from my kitchen. In fact, the art works are long lasting due to the presence of hydrochloric acid in them.”

She believes in the beauty of art rather than considering it as a means to earn money. So she refuses to sell her works. “I have taken a lot of effort in making these paintings. I travel, learn and understand the surroundings and gradually imprint them into my art,” says Sasikala, sharing her travelling experiences.

Apart from onion peel art, she is also experienced in coffee painting, metal art, African art, woolen art, and acrylic painting. With total support from her husband and son, Sasikala still continues to explore and create new and better versions of art.

The exhibition will go on till May 10.