It’s a jovial mood at Gandhian Art Gallery, Tripunithura. Evergreen, an exhibition going on at the gallery has on display 35 works by art teachers of various schools in and around the city.
The works of Deepa Namboodiri from Bhavan’s School, Elamkkara, Leela K.T. from Christhu Jayanthi, Rajagiri, Suma Zacharia from Sacred Heart CMI Public School, Renjini Soman from Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir, Mariam Jasmine C., Sherly Raveendran from Marthoma Public School, Sudharma Girijan from Aswathy School of Arts and Reshma P.P. from Assissi Vidyaniketan Public School are exhibited. The eight art teachers are members of Teach Art Kochi, an organisation of art and craft teachers in the state.
Leela, a teacher for the past eight years, says they are getting good feedback for their works. “The exhibition started a day late due to the unexpected strike on Saturday, but on Sunday people started to come and the responses so far have been great. The exhibition features about 35 paintings, depicting nature, god and human relations with flora and fauna. The style ranges from realistic, surrealistic to mural paintings. As it was a group exhibition, we didn’t stick on to a specific theme,” Leela adds.
For them, art is life. “We took up the profession of teaching purely because of love towards art,” Deepa Namboodiri, one of the artists. All these teachers had to burn their midnight oil to work on the paintings. “We have to find our own time to paint. Unlike other artists, we don’t have much to dedicate for painting. We have to teach children, take care of things at home and so, most of us paint at night for hours,” she adds.
Asked about what they love most between teaching kids and being an artist, they say they are passionate about both. “Teaching kids what we know always helps us. While teaching, we too learn something new each day. Sitting with them, teaching them about art and craft is special. Kids are always open to learning new things. Every child is born with artistic sensibilities and we are just helping them grow,” says Leela.
Now that schools have started to identify the importance of art for the development of students’ character, the teachers have been very supportive of their works. “We have been conducting camps and painting competitions with the support of Teach Art Kochi. Our schools have created an environment that helps nurture kids’ creativity. As art teachers, we too help ignite their passion,” says Deepa.
