Reality, the abstract and fantasy merge in his works in meaningful ways. Aptly titled ‘Dreams of Reason,’ the works displayed at Bindhi’s Art Gallery are expressions observed from a subtle level. A level where the suppressed feelings and desires of humankind find an outlet. When limitations and external forces curb freedom, it is natural to find solace in dreams, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. Life is all about these realms of reality, abstract and fantasy from which arise various emotions that trigger various acts. The most suppressed is sexuality which Babu explores in many frames.In one of them you see a man and woman in an emotionally charged atmosphere as reflected in the glowing yellow trees. In a work done earlier, he brings out the mood of a young woman lost in thought as she waters a plant while a butterfly heads towards the red flower adorning the plant. A simple painting on a flat surface, it reveals universal truths. The darker side of personal relationships comes to the fore in his recent works. In a diptych the calm blue of the ocean in which a crocodile is gulping a fish looks realistic while the inner whispers of the ear and the sea sound abstract. The human figures and the images are entwined in idioms of fantasy. Though the subject is the same in most of his works, the treatment is different.In some frames traces of the old schools of painting surface. But his recent works are a deviation from his earlier ones in terms of style, texture, colour and treatment. The brightness gives way to pale shades. The evolution of the artist can be seen as one moves from one painting to another. His earlier works concerned man, woman and human relationships captured against the backdrop of nature done in realistic and abstract tones. Fantasy takes wings in both.Babu has been studying life and loves to capture human emotions and feelings. During his travels he has done umpteen portraits in watercolour, a few of which have been exhibited. He brings out the mood, feelings and character of his subjects done in black and white. The young fisherman sports a bold look and appears as if he is the lord of the sea. Behind him stand canoes while the waves move on. There is life in his portraits and the stills are moving. Innocence sparkles in the twinkle in the girl’s eye whereas another looks rather despondent. He has recreated the mask effect from some photographs in a few works. The stripes on the faces of women and the terror in their eyes have much to do with the masking of reality. Babu’s works are all about distorted reality. Based in Thrissur, Babu enjoys travelling and capturing the moods and feelings of people. He has a studio in Shantiniketan too. The exhibition presented by Lalithakala Akademi will run through June 16.
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