Velu Viswanadhan was born at Kadavoor in Kollam district in Kerala. After being expelled from the Sree Narayana College of Art, Quilon for political activity in 1959 he joined the Madras School of Arts in 1960. Here he studied under the well-known painter KCS Paniker. In 1966, he helped in the formation of the Chola Mandal Artists' Village.
He looks at his work as an individual journey and an exploration. His initial works are figurative however later he evolved to experiment with abstract and geometric forms. In the late 1960s he was inspired by geometrical ritualistic-magical diagrams of Kerala and explored the visual language inbuilt in them. These theme returns in his work time with gradual evolution of form and colour.
He innovated with styles, sometimes mixing watercolours and oils as a result of which transparency of one medium blends into the dullness of the other. In his work of the 1970s he even used gold and silver colours. He uses strong hand made paper and these works combine a technique which is utilized in making handcrafts with a sophisticated sense of business. Works of later stage show usage of Indian ink to create large, horizontal formats and smaller square drawings.
He works mostly on paper, canvas and metal plate. Limited space prompted him to use small formats in his work. He draws with an arresting technique. The outline is drawn with thick stamping ink an outline is drawn. Thereafter oil paint is applied with a brush and an essence of turpentine is applied to it. The transparent and thin paint reveals the geometric forms. Viswanadhan has made a series of films based on the primary elements of Nature like sand, water, fire, air and ether. Viswanadhan treads a path of self-discovery in his creations.
Viswanadhan's latest solo show was held in New York at the Marlborough Gallery in 2008. He has also exhibited solo several times at Galerie Darthea Speyer, Paris, since his first solo show at the gallery in 1982. In 1985, his 'Sand / Water' exhibition was held at the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris. Within India, Viswanadhan has had solo shows at Jehangir Art Gallery, Tao Art Gallery, and Gallery Chemould in Mumbai, as well as the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) and Vadehra Art Gallery in New Delhi, among others. Among the many awards to his credit, in 2005, he was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Letters by the Government of France.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently Updated Articles in History of India
|
|
|
• | Muhammad Ghori Muhammad Ghori was among the second invaders from Central Asia who invaded India after Mahmud of Ghazni in the 12th century.
| | • | Mughal Dynasty Mughal Dynasty was an imperial power of Indian Subcontinent. The "classic period" of this dynasty started in 1556 with the accession of Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar and continued till 1857.
| | • | Deccan Policy of Aurangzeb Description:; Deccan policy of Aurangzeb had political as well as religious purpose. It was a multi-phased endeavor aimed at expanding Mughal influence in the Deccan region. Characterized by diplomatic maneuvers, military campaigns, and alliances, it involved annexations of Bijapur and Golconda, as well as a relentless pursuit of subduing the Marathas.
| | • | Art and Architecture of the Gupta Period Art and Architecture of the Gupta Period includes the famous rock cut temples at Ajanta, Buddhist stupas, cave and temple architecture, the Mathura and Gandhara School of art and the development of Indian classical music.
| | • | Princely State of Bhavnagar Princely State of Bhavnagar was founded by Bhavsinhji Gohil in the year 1723. It was a prominent native state during British rule in India and became known for its architectural heritage and vibrant festivals. Its legacy continues to be celebrated in modern-day Bhavnagar.
| | |
|
|
|
|