Kerala - Kochi

About dreams and dreamscapes

O.C. Martin's solo exhibition of paintings and drawings is titled `Waiting for New Vision.' The show, now on at Durbar Hall Art Centre, has 28 works, including 12 paintings.

In these works, Martin is basically trying to depict a dreamscape. He is seeking to portray a realm of dream, a space far removed from the realities of life. Martin says that he began the works (in the show) in 2002. The shadows of the U.S. war on Iraq were hanging heavy at that time. So, through these works, he wanted to reflect more on peace and tranquillity.

Appearing repeatedly in the works is an old bard, a white-haired musician. He stands for a Sufi soul, says Martin, who is seeking the new vision. Then, there are girls, little children and toys, all placed amidst lush-green rustic landscapes. The subject of `dream' becomes more accentuated in the work, `Dream of Kurosawa's Dreams,' in which he has drawn the procession of foxes from the Japanese classic film, with a girl peering at it.

This is Martin's third solo show. Earlier, he had held a solo in 2001 at the Lalithakala Akademi Gallery in Thrissur, as well as in Palakkad. He had also participated in some group exhibitions, including the State Art Exhibitions of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu-12/02/06-Monday)