"Approach without preoccupied knowledge"

As an act of interpretation, we approach a visual and try to apply a metaphor. We see a reference and then we try to interpret. We humans by nature have a tendency to interpret things around us.

It is so imbued within us that it disconnects us from realising that “Simple is without interpretation”. By attempting to interpret things, we are transforming “simple” into “complex” and so we are approaching “simple” as “complex”.

I am curious how “The act of interpretation” and the topics associated with it are so evident in our human nature. Does your brain see what the eyes see? When you "see", is it because it is, or because it should be?

In this era of extreme information and stimuli overload, the brain automatically tries to find meaning, struggles to define anything that it comes by. Pattern recognition is a survival tool, giving the earliest humans a way to spot predators in hiding. The skill is so essential, so fundamental that, when presented with a random set of patterns, the human brain attempts to make sense of what it sees. If it can possibly resolve that random pattern into a familiar object or image, it will- like seeing familiar shapes in clouds.

Is it possible for you to see the objects here, without interpretation? See not by your intellect, not by your experience, but only by your senses?

Living in Padi, a suburb that is known for its industries I often see metal barrels, used for storing various liquids, being recycled. I work with the weathered metal surfaces of these objects to create my current series of artworks. I begin by visiting workshops recycling metals and purchasing metal drums that appeal to my artistic sensibility. I flatten these and cuts out pieces containing interesting colour and surface patterns. I then proceed to create a collage of metal pieces over a wooden surface. These pieces are further smoothened and finished. In each step of this process I collaborate with different kinds of metal workers, adapting and shaping their skills to my need.

I see a parallel between the elements of nature that shape a landscape and the artificial and natural forces weathering the objects I work with - both act slowly yet steadily creating change. Furthermore, these transformative forces share much with the creative process which follows its own internal order untouched by the pressures of speed, productivity and utility. An artist’s harmony with the creative rhythm, transforms the perception of time- accelerating or decelerating its passage, alters experience- converting the physical act of making into a meditative process and transforms subjectivity- creating a sense of oneness with the environment around. My work is an exercise in sharing the magic of making that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

The ceramic art series Born in Fire delves into the universal concepts of life, growth, transformation and resilience through the potent symbolism of fruits. Using the ceramic medium, this collection celebrates the cyclical nature of creation and destruction, growth and renewal, mirroring the fiery transformation inherent in the ceramic process itself.

The mango, guava, and pomegranate are not mere fruits; they are symbols of abundance, fertility and connection. The ceramic medium immortalizes the fleeting beauty of these fruits capturing their essence in a timeless form that endures.

Guava : Resilience and Simplicity The guava, with its textured skin and delicate interior, is explored as a metaphor for strength found in simplicity. Its form evokes its dual nature—tough exterior and tender core.

While fruits and seeds in nature decay, the ceramic medium immortalizes them, transforming fleeting organic forms into artistic expressions. This tension between ephemerality and endurance is central to Born in Fire.

My work reflects the emotional weight and subtle beauty of contemporary life. Through human forms and their relationship with everyday objects, my art practice explores themes of time, labor, presence, and the quiet tension between what we build and what we lose. Rooted in daily drawing, I capture real moments from lived experience—offering viewers a space of reflection, contrast, and quiet awakening.

My recurring subjects often revolve around the human figure and its interaction with tools, routines, and modern surroundings. Whether observing the passage of time, the emotional residue of daily life, or society’s patterns of consumption and care, my work remains deeply grounded in the emotional and philosophical questions of being human.

At the heart of my practice is a reminder: we are only a nano-fragment of the universe—a breath within the vast body of the Milky Way. And yet, in that smallness lies meaning. My work invites the viewer to feel both the burden and wonder of existence and to remember our shared responsibility to the Earth and to each other. As the first artist of my generation, I draw from my own experience living and working as a contemporary artist in South India. My environment, culture, and emotional relationships—particularly with my partner—inform my work in subtle, and personal ways. My art is not separate from life; it is woven into it.

Chennai- the premiere city of Tamil Nadu, India's first municipality and a place that welcomes everyone. Chennai is a symbol of hope for ordinary people. Everyone here truly believes that Chennai will make their future bright and positive. They come to this new city with a lot of hope, dreams and passion. I am a native of Madurai and I was 17 years old when I first came to Chennai to complete my higher education. I am trying to incorporate what Chennai has taught me and also share my experiences through my artwork. It has not only taught me skills in the world of art but also given me life experiences. It has given me the confidence to prepare for all kinds of situations in life. Chennai is a home far away from our home. My artwork showcases my journey, highlighting the moments that shaped me and celebrates the city's profound impact on my life.

Chennai, embodies the awe, wonder, hope and spirit of the people of Tamil Nadu. This city has expanded its structure in a grand manner under the names of Madrasapattinam, Chennapatnam, Madras and Chennai. Despite its shortcomings, it is celebrated by the people as a city that makes visitors thrive. In my works I capture a few landmarks that give this city a distinct character:

• • The Madras School of Art, the first art institution established in the whole of the Indian subcontinent, has produced many talented artists. As a former student of this institution, this work is my tribute to an institution that nourished me and many other creative souls.

  • The Kasimedu fishing port is located in the Royapuram area. Here traders and the public jostle to buy freshly caught fish. The sea with its small and big boats swaying in the waves of the sea is indeed a beautiful sight.

  • Cinema is one of the greatest pastimes of the people of Tamil Nadu. Kodambakkan is the heart of the Tamil film industry and produces a great many films every year. It attracts people from various places who come to the city in search of fame and opportunities.

  • Our city is modernising. This is in no small measure due to the Chennai Metro Rail Service, which by offering quick and easy transformation, is contributing to the development of Chennai.