When two skilled artists work together for two decades, their creations blend together seamlessly. The mesmerising silk tapestries produced by internationally renowned painter, designer and sculptor SG Vasudev and K Subbarayulu, a reputed handloom weaver, tread the fine line between art and craftsmanship, throwing all previously determined categories into flux.
The collaboration began when Vasudev became inspired by the tapestries of Picasso, Braque and other artists on a visit to Europe. During a conversation with a stained glass artist at the studio of the artist Chagall in Paris, Vasudev learnt that the glass-work expert had collaborated with the maestro for over four decades. Obsessed with both, the idea of making tapestries and collaborating with a skilled craftsperson, Vasudev approached Bengaluru-based master weaver Subbarayulu in 1995.
A native of Venkatagiri, from the Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh, Subbarayulu had learnt to weave from his late father. The partnership was perfect for Vasudev because in the past, Subbarayulu had collaborated with the legendary artist MF Hussain – and had decades of experience weaving saris, in the traditional style of his village.
“I was closely involved in guiding Subbarayulu, especially when we began,” said Vasudev. “Silk thread was often specifically dyed in chosen hues for creating the tapestries which were art works in themselves. After Subbarayulu understood me and my creations, we did not need to meet regularly. I let him take his time which was usually around six months for each tapestry.”
The collection of tapestries that Vasudev painted, and Subbarayulu wove, are on display at the Gallery Sumukha in Bengaluru until March 4, 2017, under the title Painted Weaves.
Born in Mysore, Vasudev studied at the Government College of Fine Arts, Madras, under the pioneering KCS Paniker. He received awards from the National Academy of Art, the State Academies of Art in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In his long and illustrious career as an artist, Vasudev became one of the founders of the Cholamandal Artists’ Village on the outskirts of Chennai. His creations have been exhibited in Japan, US, Europe and England, his work also includes Ananya Drishya, a non-profit organisation that Vasudev established in Bengalru to promote art appreciation among children and adults. Now 75, he is creating a database and library of art and artists of Karnataka.
Vriksha, or the tree of life, a series that Vasudev became famous for painting in his early career, has been presented in varied mediums over the last 30 years: drawings, paintings, copper reliefs and now, in silk tapestries.
“This is the first time that an exhibition of only tapestries is being held at Sumukha,” said Naveen Kumar, artist and manager of the gallery. The tapestries have also been exhibited at the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai, Delhi and overseas.
Art historian Dr Pramila Lochan writes about the collaborative exhibition: “Vasudev’s awareness of and respect for indigenous crafts and textiles served as an impetus for revisiting traditional practices with contemporary consciousness and overcoming the inevitable challenges of such a long-term collaborative experiment – spanning two decades”.
In the late 1980s, Vasudev created the Tree of Life and Death, after which came Maithuna or Act of Love, Tree and Monkeys, Humanscapes and Earthscapes. Needless to say, he is primarily inspired by nature.
“Different elements in the environment around me and personal incidents have influenced my creations,” the artist said in an interview with Scroll.in. “The evocative poetry of AK Ramanujan, stirring stories by UR Ananthamurthy, poignant films by Girish Karnad and the melodious music of the Carnatic vocalist MD Ramanathan are among the different creations that have impacted me greatly. They led me to explore other forms and manifestations of visual art such as designing backdrops for theatre performances, sets for movies and drawings for books.”
His later works, like Theatre of Life and Rhapsody, combine the real and surreal with marvellous fluidity. Having worked with wood inlays and murals too, the prolific creator added, “I cannot stop drawing – otherwise, I am open to whatever life brings.”