Stark reality

Hyper realism is the key feature of Sherin Nazar’s portraits. A fourth-year architecture student at NIT, Kozhikode, she says she loves capturing the complexities of faces. “Each face has its own unique characteristics. Whenever I take a face, I look for such features. Then, I draw a hand sketch before applying the paints,” says the Palakkad native.

Sherin’s portraits follow the concept of ‘nobody is perfect’. She does not hide flaws of a person. “I like to bring elements such as pores, pimples, wrinkles, lines and scars that people usually try to hide,” she says. That does not mean that she tries to project the flaw. “No, I bring their beauty in its truest form,” Sherin clears the air.

“I try to improvise the painting. Their features will be the same, however, sometimes, I play with other elements such as background colour,” she explains.

Art has been her passion since childhood. She was in high school when it became her passion. “During higher secondary days I met different artists on the internet, especially on Facebook. That is when I came to know about the concept of hyper realism. I was drawn to it and started experimenting with the style. The first few portraits were really bad. With time and practice, it got better,” says the self-taught artist. Internet is her guru. “I follow artists on Facebook. Then, I experiment on my own. I believe in the trial and error method. I learn from my mistakes,” says Sherin, who also paints portraits on walls.

She has done the portrait of P.T. Usha at the Usha School of Athletics, Balussery, and that of Dr Ambedkar at Dr B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Government College, Balussery. She has also done a painting at Lona Art, Hilite.

“Painting on wall and canvas are two different experiences. Wall works are time bound. I will have to deliver them within a stipulated time, whereas in canvas, I can exercise my freedom,” she says.

Acrylic, oil and enamel are the mediums she uses for these works. “On canvas, I first give a coating with acrylic and then paint with oil paint. Enamel is used on walls.”

Right now, Sherin is excited to showcase her works in Durbar Hall, Kochi. The exhibition Expressions, featuring a few of her portraits, will take place from July 17 to 25. “Holding an exhibition has been my dream for sometime. I had sent my works to galleries in Kochi and Bengaluru, and got a space here. I simply tried my luck and got in. Now, I am thrilled,” she says.

She was part of the college shows — Adizya and Ragam. Expressions is her first independent show.

The show is on from 11 am to 7 pm.