Seshadri's Introduction and Statement

[Seshadri]

My Background

Born in 1942, I am an engineer by profession. I hold a degree in electrical engineering and am also a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers in India. After my graduation in 1964, I joined the steel industry and worked in senior capacities in major steel plants in India and abroad for over 30 years. I live in Bombay with my family and am an independent consultant in the marketing of industrial products.

This background might seem entirely unconnected with the world of art, but for decades I have been wielding the brushes as a hobby. Although I am an entirely self-taught artist I have had a few one-man shows to my credit and been part of regional group exhibitions in Bombay, Bangalore, and Delhi in the 70's and 80's.

Caught up in the rat race, however, I had little time to devote to my canvasses and virtually gave up painting. But the new millennium brought with it a new phase of creativity, and I am again finding myself painting and capturing the evanescent moments of life.

My Philosophy And Statement.
Generally I consider my art a purely personal expression. . I consider it, also, a contribution to society. ... I consider my work an expression of the age. I am painting contemporary subjects and find them very interesting. ... I believe that art should be Universal in spirit, and therefore I do not consider my work an expression of the spirit of any national, racial, religious, political, social or economic group, body, background or attitude
I only adore beauty. No ugliness will find a place in my themes. No sad or cruelty that we see all around us. I want my viewers to feel happy looking at my paintings. Life is beautiful. And we have only one to live!
I started painting from a young age. Art is my passion. It is all consuming and is giving me immense pleasure and an alternate career. Through the arts we can reach out to our creative source. We can use our creativity to enrich our personal & professional lives.
Painting is a process of evolution. For me, painting is a learning experience that finds me constantly evolving, Style is not the point. Artists always change to find something new.
There are hidden meanings and obtuse symbolisms in my paintings. I simply create images that I find to be pleasing. I try to provide an environment for thought - a playground for the mind.
My artwork is my interpretation of various topics. I would invite the viewer to interact with the images and to develop his or her own meanings from them.
My advice to you when viewing my work?
Use your imagination! Have fun!
Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions.
1. What are your artistic strengths?
Colour is a progressive art. While my paintings draw much from the tradition, my effort has been to explore the new concepts in manipulation of colour. I try to interpret them in aesthetic terms which one might comprehend without difficulty.
The concept of flow and the application of color dominate my work...Since I have a tendency to be rather serious in my paintings; I try to create images that are pleasing to the eye, which hopefully also allows the soul to view the intended harmony.
•2. Which mediums do you work in?
Mostly in Oils, Acrylics, Watercolors.. I paint on high quality canvas and paper
•3. Where has your art been exhibited?
In India. I did exhibit some of my works in a private exhibition got up in New York (White Plains) in July 2006.and Sep2008 In the last 3 years, I have held 3 one -man shows in Mumbai. In the 70's and 80's , I held one man shows in Bangalore sponsored by Alliance Francaise and Max Mueller Bhavan. I also participated in a number of Group exhibitions in South India, Mumbai and Delhi.
Due to pressure of my professional work (in Steel Plants), I could not devote any attention in the 80's and 90's.
•4. What are some of your artistic inspirations?
I try to keep my approach to painting very simple, relying principally on the design and value patterns to create exciting compositions. Rather than re-creating a subject on a canvas, I aim to express its essence. Many of my earlier paintings are loosely referential than specific.

I enjoy depicting abstractions, landscapes, figures and life situations in my own unique style. And the spiritual is portrayed using fluid planes of color that move and blend together as our own spirit does with the spiritual.
I believe that different forms have different meanings, but it is a meaning entirely its own, a personal and specific value that must not be confused with the attributes we impose upon it.
No ugliness will find a place in my themes. No sad or cruelty that we see all around us. I want my viewers to feel happy looking at my paintings. Life is beautiful. And we have only one to live!