Gopikrishna

In my practice of art, the analyzing of the theme and the peculiarities of the form are considered important. The deciphering of the meaning comes last and most often out of my capability. When I sense a particular feeling or glimpse the vague outline of a new image in my inner mind, I apply all my attention towards realizing it. The drawing and painting process then will become fully intentioned for its realization, sometimes days or sometimes months at a stretch. In all this time the question of "why" seldom comes. But the inner-discipline, and moral is somehow a part of my mind; I move that way only even in chaos or in the apparent abandoning of pre-taught notions. Certain biographical elements may be the reason for this. The personality of my father, the very different childhood experiences, very different mental drives, all contributes to this.
With my art what i show is the immensity of the unconscious mind. My art is my pointing finger which is directed towards my heart. a writer, or a viewer of my art can reach at any conclusion through the journey of the image-land. It should be a personal experience for each person.
There will be many enigmas lurking in the world of my works. I consider these enigmas as the proof of the timelessness in the unconscious strata of mind. These enigmas speak a language which is never taught or spoken. It is the language of the heart, the language of the dead, and the language of the enlighted. What it means in a so-called civilized society is out of my concern and understanding. But I love to hear it; as a rare piece of music. It is the charm of this language which made me travel through art irrespective of its material returns.

THE PRIMEVAL PAINTER AND ME
In my mind there is a certain element, strong and unchanging, which repels most of the present human endeavors and concerns. The particular landscapes in my works, the way how beings roam and engage in actions in unmolested nature all come from this side of mind. This side questions me the necessity of the concept called ‘human progress’. Where have human beings reached with that concept? They may be travelling in space but they are still more primitive than the original primitive, more savage than the actual savage. They dress, they move in perfumed, cooled vehicles but what is the ultimate gain? Have they gained the ultimate peace? Have they given anybody, any animal, bird, tree or plant peace? if they are the seekers of pleasure, Isn’t peace the ultimate pleasure? Where have they found peace? In their home? in their money? in their fights?
From these thoughts comes my philosophy, moral and art. It automatically separates me from the collective social progression carried-on eternally through time. I feel that the idea of progress is a misconception. Like a cow, milk giving, walking and dying ,no being with an ordinary, passive way of life ever progressed. It, he or she will be eternally brought back to the karmic chains. Only the separation from the collective, ability to see the different sight, death of the ambitions in heart, can promote in a human being the chance for freedom.

2010 " CARNIVAL OF THE RISING EMOTIONS" -ART MUSINGS, MUMBAI
2009 "PERSONAL MYTHOLOGY" - PALETTE ART GALLERY, NEWDELHI
2007 "DREAM CONSERVATORY" - ART MUSINGS, MUMBAI
2006 "THE CAVE IN THE METROPOLIS" - PALETTE ART GALLERY, NEWDELHI
2004 " SWAN AND OTHER PAINTINGS" - KASHI ART GALLERY, COCHIN, KERALA
2002 " TURTLE HATCHERY" - KASHI ART CAFE, COCHIN, KERALA
2001 " SECRET ENERGY" - KASHI ART CAFE, COCHIN, KERALA
2000 " GATES TO DECIVILISATION" - CONTEMPORARY ART GALERRY, ERANAKULAM, KERALA
1996 " BEYOND THE KNOWN" - MUSEUM GALERRY, TRIVANDRUM, KERALA
1989 - COLLEGE OF FINE ART GALLERY, TRIVANDRUM, KERALA

i am a painter from Kerala,India, pursuing an inner path in painting. i travel far away from the crowd, along a path that is primeval and potent with possibilities of spiritual exploration.

the disturbing and heart rending visuals i see in my homeland are of an ancient society fast loosening from its traditional moorings where the disintegrated populace are ensnared into fear and slavery by groups of clever manipulaters. my work is an attempt to keep touch with the primeval soil, where my pride as an individual lies. i feel this is a time at which all the diverse sights, smells and sensibilities of the world are dying to form a monomorphic, waxlike substance, pliable for any purpose, by anybody, at any place. all the marks of individual cultures are being ruthlessly wiped out from human habitats. i work with the conviction that at this time of cultural demolition, an artist's creation should aim at presenting the reality from fresh, unexpected perspectives that would open ever new avenues of sights, thoughts and possibilities, which may, incidentally, bring back the straying human interest to something substantial.

2000 State Award for Painting, Kerala Lalithakala Akademi.
2001 Runner up, Bose Pacia Modern prize for Contemporary Art, New York.
2002 Award for drawing, All India Fine Arts Society, New Delhi.