Kathakali

HAPPY ONAM

Kathakali
by Reji Joseph

Acrylics on canvas
91 cms x 138 cms

We challenge our own creative process, bending each rule – so many times that it’s not clear if we did it on purpose or by accident. The energy flows and then instinct kicks in during the meandering process and surprises the artist when he snaps out of his reverie and reflects on what he has done. The process is full of impulse and excitement that leads me to seek to manipulate reality. To push the viewer to isolate the artwork with the environment and convey a very personal response to the viewer.

I always use my best ideas first, never saving it away for another project. When I do this fresh ideas emerge and this regenerating process goes on and on. The more I use my best ideas, better ones emerge. Hence, my work finds its own energy through this progression and new boundaries are breached. Tricks we use to bend our minds to try to make our work spectacular and connect with the viewer immediately. Hence departure from common sense approaches and my comfort zones has enabled me to find my artistic voice.

Kathakali (കഥകളി) is a major Malayali form of classical Indian dance – a “story play” genre of art, but one distinguished by the elaborately colorful make-up, costumes and face. Seven basic makeup types are used in Kathakali – my artwork does not belong to this list.

Onam is an annual festival holiday celebrated in Kerala, India. According to legends, the festival is celebrated to commemorate King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

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