Matters of Heart
With Paramjot Walia
Shridhar lyer
Turbulent strokes in Shridhar Iyer’s works question the existence of form and ‘being’ acting as silent whispers of the universe. His works explore the mystic ethereal connection of matter and space inviting and transporting the viewer beyond the visual sense. His lines, forms, colors all coexist in harmony as they merge, submerge, die and emerge victorious in this timeless space.
Art & Deal : You left your study of law to discover yourself as an artist. What compelled you to make that move?
Shridhar Iyer: Actually this happened when I met Mr. J. Swaminathan for the first time. He was such a charismatic personality that after meeting him I was inspired to leave my study and take up art as my career .That changed my life.
AD: The majority of your work seems to be Abstract Art, what exactly draws you to that field?
SI: I usually travel through Panchindriya elements in our body and come out with all those aspects which has been never seen, said, heard, thought, tasted or witnessed. When all these things happen that is when you give a name to it. I’m only a source or medium who brings out these elements to you (one who searches that ‘Tripta’). This is what is abstract for me.
AD: Who, from modern and contemporary art history, have been your biggest influences?
SI: J. Swaminathan , K.C.S. Panikar, Mark Rothko and Miro have been my greatest inspirations.
AD: Your abstract work reflects the universe and its energy. How do you unravel these cosmic forces through your paintings?
SI: In one of my videos ‘Mudrashtakam’,I had imagined as if I have entered a tree, In ‘Blue Bull Grey’ I had become fallen drop to the form it finally takes.
AD: You have acknowledged your works as Jatra. Could you please elaborate.
SI: Jatra is a Bengali word which means theater. As per me,this universe is also a form of theater and every second something or the other is happening around and like theater here also there are no curtains, no interval, no break and the play goes on and on.This whole process that goes through in this universe is called kaalchakra, full of mystery. It keeps on moving, changing, frame by frame, knowingly or unknowingly and we are just a minute part of it and this is what my work portrays, therefore I call it “JATRA”.
AD: You exhibited your paintings after a gap of five years. Could you please share the reason.
SI: I am a multi-media artist exploring and working on many mediums simultaneously. During this gap of five years I was working on installation projects and videos. One installation roughly requires one year’s effort and videos could take as long as six months to complete. I completed four videos and an installation project .The installation ‘Dream House- Pretty Ugly’ was showcased in Kolkata.
AD: Tell us something about your next project.
SI: In past one year I have discovered an all together new medium of wood straw, khus, etc. and have felt that it is a wonderful material .I feel these mediums could be explored and much could be extracted out of them. Let’s see how far they will travel with me. You could see a glimpse of it in my ongoing show “Spiritual Sojourn”. part of Shiva and Nandi’s mute vartaalaap, in ‘Swayambhoo’ I had become a saint.” aham tatvamasi, aham tripataatma”. These are the Universal/spiritual forces that inspire me and both my videos and paintings.
AD: Are your performances also influenced by the energy forces? What is the common thread of thought behind your performances?
SI: Starting work or even thinking about it in itself is such a challenging task .It is like taking a blank canvas and travelling with no specific or clear destination in mind/view.
AD: What is the most challenging thing about creating abstract art?
SI: The flow of energy through the universe that dictates and forms the shapes has always been an inspiration for me. This invisible energy can take various shapes & forms.My fascination with the origin of forms made me contemplate on the origin of nature and various forms etc. I have always been curious to know as to what happened when the first drop of Brahma fell…What I like to capture is this journey from that.
