Anilakumar Govindappa
An upcoming artist whose compositions are a vivid and eccentric reflection of his daily encounters
Bangalore-based visual artist Anilakumar Govindappa’s works evoke a thought-provoking response and captivate viewers with their vividness and bustling details. The distinctness of colours in Govindappa’s works embodies a deliberate rawness capturing the elusive nature of thoughts as they form in our minds. A recipient of several awards, Anila addresses his canvas as a visual diary that captures his daily life through artistic compositions rather than words. Their ineffable enigma has earned Anila spots in group exhibitions, galleries and residencies across India - establishing the artist as one of the promising and emerging talents from India. The compositions in Anila’s works are not just a reflection of his experience but also meant to engage with his viewers. The eccentricity of colours, myriad detailings and metaphorical elements allow the viewers to take their time and unravel his art, layer by layer. This sentiment is aptly captured in 'A Reverie of a Memory', a composition that revisits moments from his distant and recent past spanning across cities. Similarly, all of Anila’s other works are drawn from the places and people that intersect with his daily life -exploring universal themes of home, love, attachment, families, and the essence of life's journey, while also acknowledging the political intricacies inherent in our existence. Akin to a kaleidoscope, these elements are interlocked in perfect symmetry and yet they maintain an organic flow of an artist's imaginative spirit.
Anila speaks to Blur The Border:
Blur : Do you have a definitive process while creating?
Anila: My process involves meticulously documenting everyday events and observations, infusing them with metaphorical visual elements that convey personal interpretations or statements about material existence. This approach results in a visual narrative akin to a book of short stories, where each drawing represents a moment in life.
Blur : Are there any habits or rituals that help you get into a creative mindset?
Anila: I find that immersing myself in my surroundings and allowing my thoughts to flow freely aids in accessing a creative mindset. Drawing becomes an extension of my thought process, allowing for pure expression without distraction.
Blur : What role does the environment play in your work or fueling your creativity?
Anila: The environment plays a significant role in my work as it serves as the backdrop for my visual narratives. The places and people in my daily life often appear in my drawings, contributing to a 360-degree view of my surroundings. Additionally, the environment fuels my creativity by providing inspiration for metaphorical visual elements and personal interpretations.
Blur : How has your artistic style evolved over the years and how do you view this evolution?
Anila: Over the years, my artistic style has evolved to embrace rawness and simplicity, reflecting the vagueness of my thoughts and the purity of expression. This evolution has allowed me to relate my thought process more closely with the genuine and humble images that emerge in my drawings.
Blur : How do you balance the need to be creative with the practical aspects of being a professional artist?
Anila : Balancing creativity with practical aspects involves finding harmony between expressing myself authentically and meeting the demands of my profession. This requires careful time management, prioritizing projects that align with my artistic vision, and remaining open to new opportunities for creative expression.
Blur : If you were to collaborate with other artists, outside of your discipline, what is one collaboration you would love to do?
Anila : I would love to collaborate with a writer or poet to create a multimedia project combining visual storytelling with written narratives. This collaboration would blend our respective talents to create a rich and immersive experience for the audience, merging the worlds of visual art and literature.
Know more about Anilakumar:
Instagram: @anilagovindappa