ART AND ARTISTS

ABSTRACT ARTDeclaring open the Art Gallery housed in the Theosophical Society, Bangalore, Dr C.P.RAMASWAMY AIYER, rightly observed that Indian Artists are in great danger of venturing into the “ ABSTRACT IN ART” and that such expressionism is nothing but “mathematical absurdity” with Art. Indeed there is a definite trend towards too much abstractism in painting, in the name of modern art. Dr. CP Ramaswamy Aiyer sarcastically remarked that a person needs a guide, preferably the artist himself to perceive the art concealed in these ultra-modern paintings. Hence it is quite evident that the modern artist has gone off the track. It is time he realizes the purpose of art and the mission of an artist in life.

Art is the highest and noblest expression of the imaginative and emotional susceptibilities of man. The artist observes life – its external reality – and presents it through his medium in a manner, which makes it an object of beauty and imaginative pleasure. The artist creates beauty and emotional appeal to satisfy man’s aesthetic tastes. Sunset, for example, which is a common sight, is transformed into a spectacle of rare beauty. Likewise, there is beauty in a woman’s face and form, in natures’ landscapes, in birds and animals. There is an intangible and elusive beauty in human emotions, viz., the transparent love of a mother, the innocent mirth of children and the like. The artist roams all over this vast field of beauty, picks and chooses what appeals to him the most and stamps it with his artistic talent. He creates beauty and inspiration where the common man does not usually find it. He presents reality as seen by him and his mental approach and active imagination gives a new charm and glow to his work. His idealized aspect of reality is richer than the actual and creates everlasting beauty, symbolizing the essential reality of the object. Such a thing of beauty is a joy forever.
But unfortunately the modern artist lives in the proud solitude of his ivory tower, drawing fanciful pictures of life and nature. He is not intensely in love with humanity and the universe. He indulges in idealization according to his own free will. With unlimited freedom, he employs mathematics and geometry and distorts and disfigures nature. His figures are eccentric, crude, freakish or fantastic. They are riddles of art and not works of art. Because art is not complexity. Anything contrary to nature cannot be artistic and such works of art do not inspire or enliven the heart. Art without inspiring beauty is like thought without truth or action without righteousness. It is the glory and good of art that it remains inspiring. Real art is illumination. It adds stature to life.
Indian art has remained true and inspiring from time immemorial. The Indian artist, like his great predecessors, should remain true to the traditional works of Indian art and must not be corrupted by the western influence of abstract expressionism.
My views published in Illustrated weekly of India, Indian Express ,The Hindu, Deccan Herald etc., Jan 1961. (This was written after discussing art with Dr CPR Iyer when he declared open an Art Exhibition in Bangalore)