Artist Suresh Pushpangthan’s early childhood, spent wandering in the lush tropical foliage of Varkala in Kerala, had a lasting impact on his work as an artist and this is a memory that he constantly revisits in his evocative work especially relevant to the present day scenario of a world of fast disappearing flora and fauna. The son of a traditional sculptor, Suresh grew up watching his father at work and, it is at his feet that that the young boy was introduced to the fascinating world of art. His inborn talent, a childhood spent in rural Kerala and later- day training as an art student at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath in Bangalore for a BFA followed by a MA in Art and Design from the University of Bedfordshire, Lutin, UK are all reflected in his

sensitive work. Deft brushstrokes in thick and thin paints, the interplay of light and the ability to convey perspective, mystery and texture is a reflection of Pushpangathan’s creativity and skill as an artist. Clearly apparent in his work is the influence of the Impressionists and the Post Impressionists particularly Claude Monet. Pushpangathan’s latest body of work, ‘The Treasury of Tranquility’ echoes the peace and stillness of a childhood spent in the lap of nature. Days spent splashing in ponds amidst water lilies, watching colourful birds, butterflies and dragon flies, coffee plantations and banana groves are clearly the artist’s imagery for his canvas of serenity.

About Suresh Pushpangthan:

“I feel a certain rhythm in nature when I try to observe it. It has its own diverse moods that are reflected in the form of vibrations. And this is exactly what I try to capture in my work”, says artist Suresh Pushpangathan who can best be described as a nature lover. His artwork is a perfect interplay of light and colour. A childhood exposure to nature led Suresh to start painting at an early stage, eventually committing to his creativity when he enrolled at the Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore, graduating in 2002. In 2011, he completed a Master’s degree in Art & Design from the University of Bedfordshire, Luton, United Kingdom. Art aficionado and curator Akumal Ramachander, the man who stunned the art world with his discovery of American abstract expressionist Harold Shapinsky, met Suresh Pushpangathan early in his career. Under Akumal’s mentorship, Suresh blossomed and has, over the years, continued to grow as an artist of recognizable talent. Artist, architect and environmentalist, Golak Khandual remarks, “I think Suresh’s works are wonderful abstracts of nature. He is more of a colourist than a draughtsman. He enjoys the paint more than the line and structure itself. He has the fine knack of creating the ambience of nature by delineating light.”The son of a traditional sculptor, Suresh grew up watching his father at work and, it is at his feet that the young boy sat whittling away at pieces of wood.This was his introduction to the fascinating world of art. His early childhood was spent wandering in the lush tropical countryside of Varkala in Kerala, an area speckled with backwater reflections, serene lily ponds and enchanting seascapes. It had a lasting impact on his work as an artist and this is a memory that he constantly revisits in his haunting work so relevant in a world of fast disappearing flora and fauna. His inborn talent, a childhood spent in rural Kerala and later- day training as an art student are reflected in his sensitive work. Deft brushstrokes in thick and thin paints, smooth blends, the interplay of light and the ability to convey perspective, mystery and texture is a reflection of Pushpangathan’s creativity and skill as an artist for whom memories feed his visuals. Some of the canvases bring the viewer right the edge of a pond, others look across theleafy expanse of water to the other bank presenting the aquatic fauna amid a play of rich colour and texture highlighting the artist’s capacity to paint nature with vivid impact. Clearly apparent in his evocative work is the influence of the Impressionists and the Post Impressionists particularly Claude Monet often adopts a middle path between representation and abstraction and his visuals are free from the confines of strict realism. To him the palette and application are as important as the subject matter and integral to the effective expression of an emotion. Suresh Pushpangathan’s latest body of work, ‘The Treasury of Tranquility’ echoes the serenity and harmony of a childhood spent in the lap of nature. Days spent splashing amidst lotuses in water bodies, watching colourful birds, butterflies, and dragonflies, the pristine beauty of coffee plantations during flowering season and lush groves are clearly some of the memories that the artist wistfully captures in the tranquil images that he transfers onto canvas. Curator Jaya Mani remarks, “Suresh’s three dimensional paintings are an immersive theatrical experience where one cannot help but feel one is an integral part of the artist’s pictorial space”.

‘The Treasury of Tranquility’ at Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre

(Gate 2), Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003

Opening: Friday, 10 th February 2023 at 6.00 – 8.30 pm`

On view till Monday, 13 th February, 2023 from 11.00 am – 8.00 pm

On the last day, Monday, 13 th February, the show will close at 5.30 pm