Of Stories Imagined

Taking the opportunity to pay tribute to his idol the late Prabhakar Barwe,who lived and worked in Mumbai,Kamath also showcases a work titled In Conversation with Barwe. “Although he is no more,as an artist he is still alive to me,” says the 38-year-old,with this piece of art reflecting the inspiration he has drawn from Barwe’s work.

Known for subtly incorporating humour and satire into his work to make a statement,Kamath creates art that tells a story. And this story is one he encourages viewers to build for themselves. “Instead of creating a story,I finish my work and let the viewer make his or her own story,” explains the artist. The only suggestion he makes to his audience is with the title of the work,which he says plays a major role in his creative process. One such example is Spoon Feeding. Fifty images — including those of a rabbit,a dog licking a monkey’s head,a cigarette bud,a cow,a woman’s feet and many such others — come together to tell a different story each time one looks at them. Similarly,Collective Nouns,the work that lends its name to the title of the exhibition,has a number of interesting images that seem unconnected,but invariably become a part of the bigger story.

The painting sprawls over two canvases,and a ‘rope’ painted across the two appears to be what holds them together. Dangling from one end of the rope are a variety of items including a slipper,bananas and a diary. These are the ‘nouns’ that have been collected over the years. Interestingly,most of the larger paintings have highly stylised backgrounds that look like rusted door hinges and deteriorating walls. The deliberately deceitful nature of these backgrounds is a reference to the inherent quality in people to tell a lie nearly every day of their lives.

Relishing the fact that an artist can go beyond the ordinary and incorporate elements that are surreal,even unreal,in his art,Kamath plays with his imagination. The very title of the work Pregnant Bed,for instance,suggests the impossible. However,the Delhi-based artist says with a chuckle,“I once thought,while I’m sleeping with my wife,I’m sleeping with my bed too,and as an artist I can express the impossible. So I did.”