Sukesan Kanka believes that as an artist, his duty is to report to the viewers what’s happening outside, not give them any message through the art work. And his paintings focus on a variety of topics ranging from migration to repercussions of natural disasters and war. They also try to explore the subliminal and inexplicit effects of such aberrations. His works are on display at Gallery 27 in Mattancherry. The exhibition is titled Returning Echo.
“The show is the result of my reflections over the recent floods in Kerala,” says Sukesan Kanka. A graduate in painting from Fine Arts College, Thrissur, the artist uses a dynamic combination of fantasy and realism. The bold colours and immensely detailed composition of his art work naturally draw attention of the viewers to contemplate upon the theme. The works painted with deep red and green, inspired by classic cinema, are like forgotten narratives, reminding the viewers about their existence. Moved by the extremely intense story line of cinema and inspired by Peter Brueghel and Bosch, he succeeds in portraying life on canvas by intelligently combining both fantasy and romance.
“The mindless race of consumerism and devastation of nature for real estate development have triggered unimaginable disaster on humanity,” Kanka says. One of his works with the floods as theme shows plastic bottles and other things floating in the flood water.
It is interesting to note the range of themes covered in his art works. His early works portrayed migration, love and war. He is one of those very few artists who have resisted the allure of new mediums. Attention to detail must be a quality he acquired from his ancestors as he comes from a goldsmith family. His skill to blend art, history and knowledge with detailed compositions makes his works more interesting and vibrant. He is devoted to creating art and also dreams of making a masterpiece which will be displayed in a museum.
The exhibition will be on till April 10, from 10am to 5pm.
