An Altered Perspective on FN Souza's Figurative Art

FN Souza - A Life of the Mind

I had walked in one day because I had seen the golden nude through the rose-tinted 

window glass of the exhibition gallery. That was weird, I thought, seeing 'Myself', in a striking
nonchalant pose on a canvas, where one might have expected the guilt-ridden, bashful
Venus Pudica types, with a perpetual blush marking her countenance or the prevalent supine,
spreadeagled 'SHE' forms. They told me the famous and in other ways not so famous artist,
FN Souza was dead.

I was reborn with my contemplation on flesh and its fall, and it's resurrection in FN's art,

'till I shone again with the light of first sight' 

Great art remains alive because of its power to evoke a response in the viewer. The prevalent thrust in my writing towards 'critic as an artist' births new perspectives of existing ways of seeing. That Souza’s art contains the greatest social possibility is yet to be understood. An interdisciplinary lens on Souza's work opens portals to alternative perspectives, generating new dialogue on his artistic legacy.

Souza was definitely an outlier. Shaking pedestals of propriety, he rebelled to render radical art. Despite his innovative disposition, the priggish Indian sensibility disregarded him with Pecksniffian relish for his sexually overt portraiture, and racism and western supremacy pigeonholed him abroad. That this art legacy at par with Bacon and Picasso is still to find its place in the world art canon, propels his scholars and critics to work towards that goal. 

My endeavour is an extension of my personal journey and a deep connect to FN Souza's art. I bring my strength of an open mind, interdisciplinary reading and a totally fresh look at Souza's art and mind.

There is no denying, it's definitely an impressionist take, a Florilegia dedicated to FN.

The first essay is an introductory essay. The next four are based on his most controversial work in figurative art - 'The Female Nude'. Thereafter the essays focus on his Self-portraits, Passion series and other themes in his artistic oeuvre. I have completed 10 essays and I plan to write 15 essays in all.  

I thought it best to go with a florilegium so far. I was going against the grain ( established viewpoint of Souza's figurative art)  and building an argument towards a more feminist frame -  how a shift in my own consciousness made me see those emancipated women in his figurative art, an altered perception that unraveled a whole novel and radical definition of his art practice. 

Now that I am midway through, hereafter my essays will incorporate short story formats and an ekphrastic style. 

I also gave a talk on Souza at Fundacao Oriente, The Story of Space Festival, 2017 and the Goa Pavilion, Serendipity Art festival, 2017. 
I am gearing up to present my essay at Panjim 175, SAF  15th - 22nd Dec 2018 https://www.serendipityartsfestival.com/          

     

In conversation with writer, CEO Infosys Foundation, Sudha Murty

Dignity- Gravity Personified!

Penguin invited me to be in conversation with Sudha Murty. writer,chairperson of Infosys Foundation, at the launch of her book :

Three Thousand Stitches : Anthology of short stories based on her experience, work and human nature, rendered in a lucid, conversational tone!

The first story from which the book gets its title; 3000 rehabilitated devdasis presented her a metaphorical quilt, embroidering their stories of life!

Highly inspiring and humbling to be in dialogue with a woman who is redefining social work in India working with prostitutes, alcoholics.......

Not CHARITY, but social responsibility which leads to social cohesion, social development and social change. Work based on justice, human rights and an acceptance of diversity! Sudha is also a part of the health care in Gates Foundation!

Narayan Murty sat through the whole event; spot him in the audience behind Baljit!

Packed house, interactive session, audience (children to adults) all ears !

Literature Post Bob Dylan's Nobel !

Panel Discussion : Literature in contemporary times post Bob Dylan's Nobel in Literature 
With Vivek Menezes, Wendell Rodricks, Jose Lourenco, Alice D' Cruz and Prema Rocha & Ibha 
St Xavier College, Goa
Don't miss fashion designer Wendell's footwear!
We rapped Shakespearean & Dylan poetry to hip hop beat!

Curating at Serendipity Arts Festival, Goa

I am curating an evening of poetry, art and music at Bento Miguel, Fontainas, the Goan art pavilion 'Konkani Surrealism' curated by Vivek Menezes at the Serendipity Art Festival
All are invited! Entry free!

Friday, 5th Jan, 2018
4:45-5:45pm 
Colours of Goan Poetry

A number of different languages coexist in Goa - Konkani, Marathi, Kannada, Hindi, English and Portuguese, enriching tongues and facilitating communication on multiple planes. The etymology of words and alphabet reveal enmeshed cultural maps akin to human genome studies. How can we disregard facts of beautiful language tributaries feeding the invisible river of syncretism? Human trajectories woven in diverse languages fill a common story pool, binding steadfast the history of a people who have seen and experienced much. We present such a symphony in the form of poetry.

Friday, 5th Jan, 2018

5:55 – 7:30 pm

Mapping FN Souza’s Art Practice: Inspiration & Legacy
A presentation by Jugneeta Sudan
&
Live art by Goan artist during the course of the presentation in engagement with Souza's art- Inspiration, Provocation or a Rebuttal

“To comprehend and appreciate (modern paintings) one must know one’s way in the world history of art, from Praxiteles to Picasso, from the Han to Manchu dynasty and from Mohenjodaro to Francis Newton”. This famous quote by the irresistible, irrepressible and incorrigible Goan artist, may imply egotism but mapping his art practice reveals grains of truth. Comprehension of his esoteric practice requires an immersion into world art, philosophy, psychology, science and the story of human evolution. Meet the world in FN Souza’s art, a legacy worth the Goan salt!

Friday, 5th Jan, 2018
7:30-8:30pm
Jazzy Zephyr: Jazz in Goa
Jarryd Rodrigues (Saxophone) & Jonathan Furtado (Guitar)

Jazz, born in the slums of New Orleans, swept the world with its swing and vitality. Its purity stems from its diversity. Its tunes harbour strains of varied musical forms. The blazing trajectory is an example of how cultures grow stronger by borrowing elements from each other. Sons of Goa took to it magnetically, riding waves of fame and glory. The gentle winds here carry a flavour of this magic till today, blowing steady sustaining souls through soulful jazzy numbers!

Jarryd Rodrigues is the great grandson of Chic Chocolate,the legendary Jazz trumpeter & Jonathan Furtado is Kp's ( my son) best college mate! Tongue in cheek!