Dream Maker

Expressionistic style of painting in 1995-97. This involved broad strokes of paint that did not necessarily have a narrative content. I think my work will move towards a visual language that is more towards an abstract ideology,” says the 40-year-old.

The 16×8-foot canvases are in no way abstract,since the work abounds with neatly drawn figures and details that strike the observant viewer. There are the usual elements of repetition present in his installations too. The sewing machine continues to be a recurring motif for Harsha,as does the chair.

The first canvas that he began working on,titled Creation of Gods,is a lyrically beautiful but subtly dark work that captures rows of sewing machines,with death seated at it stitching the night. “The title is important in my works. Here I wanted to hint towards the time and energy spent on creating Gods and maintaining their myths,” says the artist.

The last canvas in the series is titled We Don’t Know Why We’re Stitching Plants. This work captures the artist’s journey from concrete ideas like death and mythology to whimsical and playful work. Here,the rows of sewing machines are present,but instead of the grim reaper one has joyful and airborne folk who attempt to stitch plants of all size. “This canvas is totally spontaneous and playful. I did not even do preparatory drawings,but started working directly on it canvas,” says the artist.

Other works include a self-portrait of the artist kissing the world,while the lower half of his body melts into a mound of debris of men and women standing on a mountain of other human parts.

Harsha began painting when his parents realised he had more interest in art than in science. “I would begin by noting scientific experiments in front of my exercise book. At the back there would be drawings of men on motorbikes. At home,even the walls were not safe,” recalls the artist with a smile. He moved to Baroda to do his Masters and the rest,as they say,is history.

His next venture includes a show at the Victoria Miro Gallery in London as well as a travelling show in Belgium,Italy and India.

(The show continues till October 3.)