Puducherry artist creates a montage of figures and forms
Elements of Pablo Picasso's Cubism style and imagery from prehistoric rock art in the region create a montage of figures and forms in the works of artist C. Mounissamy.
The city-based artist's solo contemporary rock show at the Alliance Francaise showcases a series of pen drawings inspired by Picasso's geometrical deconstruction of reality and acrylic works that are based on prehistoric cave paintings.
The images of bulls and birds, deer and elephants, horse and sheep animate the canvas of the artist who has exhibited about 60 works at the expo. The era recreated in these works seems to correspond to a pre-neolithic age preceding the shift from hunter-gatherer sustenance to a more settled agriculture-based life.
Images of women subjects wearing necklace sets and ear-rings or the recurring motif of a large fish in the firm clasp of women-figures has a visiting group of students earnestly quiz the artist about their significance.
Mounissamy says that the fish motif in multiple paintings is his way of paying a tribute to fisherwomen in a coastal belt in the city whose task it is to make a decent profit off the husband's catch. The artist has also depicted masked figures in some works, most strikingly in a montage that he says, portrays a range of human emotions.
The artist has spent vast amounts of time studying the rock art of Kilvalai site in nearby Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu. The Kilvalai rock art is estimated to be from the pre-megalithic era, dating back to 3,000 BC.
The artist hopes to rekindle interest in this magnificent aspect of civilisational heritage and that authorites take steps to preserve these forms for posterity. In fact, he desires protection for all flora and fauna forms of life.
The expo, which was launched by former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy in the presence of prominent artists from the region, will conclude on Monday.
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