It is no secret that art imitates life, and good artists are adept at perfectly capturing their surroundings in their creations. The work of Kerala-based artist and sculptor E.H. Pushkin certainly falls in this category. His solo painting exhibition ‘Transpiring the Language of Being’ currently on display at Gallery 1000A in Delhi, is a testament to this.
Shaji Punchathu, gallery owner
E.H. Pushkin
“Through this exhibit, I have attempted to translate the language that every being heaves and hides. The idea is to make visual revelations by replacing existing mores. These works of mine decipher the hidden language of life. The use of primary colours and the constant brooding nature of the magnified objects caped with elongated shadows and oblong acrylic figurations, the iconic titles of the works reflecting on the futility and inevitability of market-driven identities; make this exhibition a compelling view. Through these paintings, I’ve attempted to record the desire lurking within us all,” says Pushkin.
Born in Kerala to parents who were active participants of the freedom struggle for Indian independence, Pushkin has studied in village schools and been raised as a son of the soil.
He describes himself as one of the radical group artists who pursued a Bachelor’s in creative painting from the College of Fine Arts in Trivandrum. His Master’s degree is from the Faculty of Fine Arts at M.S. University, Baroda. Harbouring deep love for ecology and the environment has made him an activist. He has also participated in many animal protection conventions held abroad.
Apart from being a contemporary artist and sculptor of renown, Pushkin is the author of three books of poetry and short stories. He writes essays on art and literature and creates digital paintings and graphic design. With over 35 years of experience in this profession, his work has been exhibited in different parts of India, Geneva, Bangkok, Beijing, Taipei, and Mauritius, as well as at two world conservation congresses held in Montreal in 1995 and Jordan in 2000. His most well-known solo shows include ‘Sign Here’ at the Suryakanti Art Gallery Trivandrum, Kerala in 2020; ‘Art is Conscious of Being Perceptive’ at Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery, Trivandrum, Kerala in 2019; ‘The Allegory of Saint Koku’, ‘The Scent of Cosmic Dust’ and ‘Facing the Face’ – all three of which were presented online in 2012; ‘Art is a Being of Compound Behaviors’ at Niv Art Centre, New Delhi and ‘Somebody is Talking About your Life’ at the Gallery Espace, New Delhi – both of which were held in 2008; and ‘The Beautifully Built Yellow Warship Sailing’ at Kashi Art Gallery in 2006.
Speaking about the collaboration with Pushkin, the owner of Gallery 1000A, Shaji Punchathu, says, “I have known Pushkin for a long time, as we are both from Kerala. He is a very senior and well-known artist, and I really like his paintings because the concepts are unique. This is why we decided to do a show together a year back.”
The show is on view till 15 February 2022 and the response from patrons has been good so far. “Although the sudden risen in Covid cases during the third wave affected the art show, it is picking up again,” shares Punchathu.
To put this selection of paintings together, Pushkin worked through the entire year of 2021. Next, he is working on a couple of other exciting projects and art exhibitions for which the dates are not yet finalised.
Gallery 1000A is a prominent player in the Indian art world. It is known for its contribution and organisation of art and cultural programs and projects for over ten years under the aegis of its cultural wing ‘Kalarang’ in Delhi. Punchathu launched this contemporary art gallery to promote versatile artistic practices across multiple platforms. Since it opened in 2012, it has participated in over 32 international art fairs across Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe. These include the Busan Art Fair, Gwanju Art Fair, Art Asia, South Korea, Art Dubai, Barcelona Swab Art Fair and Hong Kong Art Fair. Apart from promoting prominent Indian artists, Gallery 1000A has also represented European, Korean and Japanese artists of importance nationally and internationally.
“Today, Gallery 1000A and its parental organisation Kalarang, have become names to be reckoned with for their high impact on Indian contemporary art. We aim to continuously promote art and artists in the Indian and international market,” shares Punchathu with pride.
E. H. Pushkin’s solo show ‘Transpiring the Language of Being’ has been on display since 5 January 2022 and will be on view till 15 February 2022 – every day from 11 AM till 7 PM at Gallery 1000A located at 210 D, Old M B Road, Lado Sarai, New Delhi.
The writer pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com. She can be reached on nooranand@gmail.com.