A Journo's Diary

If you think by the mention of the phrase “magical landscapes”, I intend to take you into Grandma’s world of fairy tale stories then you are completely mistaken, but definitely in for a big surprise. Some of the most scintillating landscapes that have been beautifully painted by Dr. A Murugesan were on display at The Nehru Centre last week. The canvas was sometimes full of bright colours and a clear sky or a dark blue night with reflections of a monument. Each painting looked realistic and at the same time showcased the artist’s creativity in playing with his palette. The things to look out for were rich grasslands in sunny weather of London or an astonishing view of Tower Bridge. What fascinated me the most was a beautiful painting of Taj Mahal lit up by the moonlight. That image remains special in the heart of every Indian and thus seeing it in real made it even more special.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Michael Wood, a historian and TV presenter. It was a treat for art lovers who came in large numbers and enjoyed the works with a glass of wine. The exhibition witnessed many amazed faces and there was a sense of admiration amongst everyone. I spoke to Dr. A Murgesan, the artist himself to know what he had to say about his work. He says the freshness and immediacy of watercolours, their translucency and vibrancy always attracted him, Though difficult to master, watercolour kindles his passion and throws a challenge every time he approaches the paper with paint.

Give us a brief idea of the concept of Magical Lands; Magical Landscapes?

‘Magical Lands: Magical Landscapes’: My paintings are done mostly in different countries, continents even. The beauty of each landscape is totally magical in inspiring me into painting them. The seasons, the elements of nature, (sky, water, land etc) are the ones I interpreted in my efforts. As individual paintings they represent the particular moment of time but looking as a whole, long after I painted them, one could see a common thread of time, space and colours which could be only termed as ‘magical’.

Like many artists, your work too might have evolved over years. Do you see any particular phases in the way your work has evolved?

A good lesson every aspiring artist gets is that never throw away your unsuccessful paintings. Go back to them to remind yourself where you went wrong. The difficult phases of evolution of your art are the hard ones to forget. Like one famous watercolourist said ‘ watercolour is a lifetime pursuit, always uphill’, the way you come up is always remembered and the peaks to reach always look hard but the challenge of the whole thing is the one keeps you going.

What would you say were the strong influences on you during childhood that brought out the artist in you?

I still remember the two art teachers in my high school and what they taught. I had lots of interest in drawing and I was very much influenced by the artists of the children’s magazines whom I tried to imitate. They made a big impression on me and always reminded me that there is something for me to pursue apart from the chosen walk of profession/career.

What are your views on art being classified as classical and modern?

Every artist is an imitator. The classical aspect is very fundamental to all and it is timeless. When an artist imitates the ways of the modern world, it may take different forms and expressions. The amount of classicism and modernism by which one is influenced varies from artist to artist. It also depends how much you are prepared to experiment in your art.

Do you think the west is open to contemporary Indian art?

The signs are that there is great new world of opportunities to contemporary Indian art in the Western world.

Finally, who’s work do you admire the most among the new generation of artists and why?

Due to circumstances, my art developed in the traditions of the West from where I admire many painters. David Curtis, Peter Woolley, Anthony Fleming- UK, Robert Wade-Australia, Joseph Zbukvic-Croatia, John Pike, James Donald Patterson-USA to name a few. Milind Mullick is the one Indian watercolourist I admire most. All of them have unique styles of painting but there is one thing in common, to capture the freshness of watercolour, the most admirable quality of the medium.

(To know more about the artist and his upcoming exhibitions please log on to www.muruarts.com)