Pushkin show is all about deciphering the hidden language in every being

Team L&M

Transpiring the language of Being is the first solo show this year by the contemporary artist from Kerala, EH Pushkin, currently on at Gallery 1000A, Lado Sarai in Delhi. On display are 15 works – acrylic on canvas – all created during the lockdown period in 2021. The show has been curated by Mukherjee P.

“These works are about finding and deciphering the hidden language in every matter/being to feel it’s surprising the ‘sense of being’ through a visual language,” says Pushkin. “I have tried to transpire the language every being/object heave or hide to reconstruct new visual revelations to nourish or replace the existing the popular visual mores which sometimes feel as crossing a visual junkyard of robbed and manipulated, disintegrated and recycled visual imageries,” he adds, visibly happy at the rave reviews his art is drawing.

“I prefer offline shows. Online exhibitions have limitations, particularly in terms of the size and colour of the works,” says the artist.

Artist-writer-sculptor EH Pushkin

This is Pushkin’s eighth solo show since he began his art career in 1986 fresh out of MS University, Baroda. But then, he has been passionate towards arts since he was a teenager. So much so that once he even quit his studies to fulfil his wish to study art.  “I was 14, in class 9, and I left school, went to the School of Arts in Trivandrum to study fine arts. But the institution rejected me, saying I was too young and was not accompanied by any family members,” he smiles. “I returned and continued my school studies, but returned to the College of Fine Arts four years later and enrolled in creative painting,” he adds. After his graduation, Pushkin joined the Faculty of Fine Arts at MS University, Baroda for MFA in creative painting.

“Art should be the guidelines for every traveller in life because art is free from intimidation and revulsion. Art is love and understanding,” says Pushkin.

Acrylic on canvas or acid free paper is his favourite medium to paint. “That’s because my studio is in Kerala, and the humidity there is excessive. Acrylic dries fast, while takes time, and this prevents me from using oil colors,” he says.

Painting is not the only art Pushkin does. He is also a writer, sculptor and an environmental activist, and keeps participating in Animal Protection conventions.

The show is on till January 29.