Meditations, an art exhibition in Thiruvananthapuram, showcases colourful fragments of dissimilar visions

Chapter one of Meditations, an art exhibition by Dr Boban Ramesan, currently on at Vylopilly Samskrithi Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, presents a glimpse into what truly affects the artist — consciously and subconsciously. From depictions of frames inspired by legendary filmmakers Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak to images of death and decay reflecting the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the exhibition explores the personal and the public in a series of untitled works. This chapter features 68 works and chapter two features 42 works.

Originally from Petta, Boban has been working as a family physician in Brisbane, Australia, for a decade. He uses Italian Fabriano paper as his preferred canvas. His paint mediums include oil paint, charcoal, pastels, pens, gouache (a water-based paint), chalk and graphite. “I have been using oil paint for the last 10 years. Before that, my preferred mediums were charcoal and graphite. I also started using pastels a few years ago. I never used colours when I began painting as I was used to monochromatic art,” says Boban.

Different artworks from Meditations
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen

“I left the works untitled so that people can interpret it. I do have some ideas in my mind. If I feel differently tomorrow, I’ll change it,” says Boban, showcasing artworks compiled over the past 12 months.

The self-taught artist describes his work as “mostly spontaneous”, putting down his thoughts through his paintings, almost like journalling on canvas. These include his perceptions of places, experiences, and events. For instance, in one of his works, he portrays a rural area in West Bengal; despite not having travelled to the place, he has created a piece inspired by the movies of Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak. Boban displays a shore and people on it, invoking an image of the fisherfolk.

A painting by Dr Boban Ramesan
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen

Alienation appears to be a recurring theme. With charcoal as a medium, Boban has portrayed a grim, lonely setting in England. The work features a tram next to a solitary person.

Subjects embracing other people further highlight a sense of loneliness or an absence of intimacy that many people often crave. “A lot of lonely figures can be found in my work now; it appears as if I am confined to that space,” he says.

“Last year, I lost my sister, and a lot of those emotions reflect in my work. It helps me cope with sadness, as it is also said that art is therapeutic.” These artworks are dominated by shades of yellow and despite the nature of the colour representing happiness, they display loss and yearning for his sister. Personal relationships or their absence become the leitmotif for the exhibition, which does not have a central theme of any nature.

An artwork at Meditations by Dr Boban Ramesan
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen

Boban also attempts to revisit his dreams through his art. The abstract works feature animals, objects and even the artist himself; they represent involuntary and incoherent fragments of the artist’s psyche, he believes. These dream sequences are colourful and contain recurring elements that set out the idea that the works are interwoven.

Charcoal works by Boban Ramesan about war and violence
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen

A section of four works in charcoal portrays violent imagery of conflicts happening across the world, especially in Gaza, says the artist. Lamenting mothers and sights of decay presented in shades of black are direct references to the grim reality. On a closer look, the dancing figures present a group of people profiting from such violence.

The exhibition and its second chapter at KCS Panicker Gallery, Museum, is on till June 22, 10 am to 5 pm.