‘‘I can transform any experience into an image,” says Chennai-based artist Aparajithan Adimoolam. The art is something that came naturally to him from childhood and a trait that was strongly influenced by his father, an artist as well. His latest display of art, a show with the theme, Fathers and Sons, that is currently on at Delhi has led to a trinity of sorts. “My father is no more but it was nice to get out some of his old paintings and exhibit them alongside my own.” He adds, “And my brother is a filmmaker. So, there is a video screening as well.” Ask him whether this exhibition will be brought down to Chennai and Aparajithan says that he hopes it will, although nothing has been confirmed as yet.It is apparent from the catalogue that a calm sea is the backdrop of most of his recent works. Aparajithan explains, “Since I live near the beach, I thought it would make an appropriate background.” Perhaps a favourite of his is the creation titled Existential Disquiet, displaying a three-dimensional rocking chair that appears almost pencil drawn on beach sands. “It’s been drawn with a paint brush,” he clarifies. Another inspired use of elements is the NADA (or nothingness) series, in which he has opted for expired tablets of different shapes and sizes to contrast against the blue beach tones.Going back to the early years, before this artist chose to pursue this craft full time, he recalls having to re-learn much of what he had grown into as a child. Aparajithan states, “Before I applied to the Government College of Fine Arts in Chennai (that was 15 years ago), it was painting without much structure.” There would always be a paint brush and plenty of fresh paper to experiment with in the house, he reminisces. This is probably the reason that even today, he admits, “I can only think in terms of space and not in temporal terms.” It is little wonder then that those creatively inclined have a difficult time meeting deadlines! Aparajithan agrees, but he does bring up a parting thought, “Art is unpredictable, just like life.” He goes on, “You receive some of the most creative ideas when completely vulnerable and not looking.” In other words, NADA.
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