Vasavan Payyattam – "Sem tinta, no brush, but with pieces of paper. Only."

I'm Vasavan Payyattam, born in 1964 and living as a full time artist now based in Kannur in Kerala India.

after my graduation, I started to study drawing and painting with a master and later I did painting and collages.

When he woke up his desire to be an artist?

At the end of my high school studies, I started to show my interest in art and literature. in early childhood, I had no interest in art.

I wrote many short stories and won an award. One of my short stories was broadcast from Kannur AIR Station.

What kind of art do you like best?

I really like paper collages.

One reason is that when I started painting I faced a lot of difficulties because I don't have income to buy art supplies like paints., brushes and canvas.

So I picked print magazines from the junk store. And I was happy to get a medium to fulfill my artistic feelings.

How he developed his style (techniques)?

Art lovers marveled at my style of work, showing light and shadow which a work of art essentially needed to come alive.

I reach the current style gradually. The first time I used a knife and blade and cut the paper and pasted it. Later I was not satisfied with that style, I felt something mechanical and wanted to just tear it off with my hand..

Everyone appreciated me and I continued the same style.

Cite if you had artistic influences in your works and which artists?

Not, i have influence from any artist when doing my collage works.

In fact, I chose this medium because it is very cheap and easily available compared to acrylic or oil paint.

Do you have a family member or acquaintance who is an artist?

I have no artistic family background. A village person truly without any family background who became known through his own effort inspired me, so I also tried to become an artist.

My father and family members were not supportive of my decision at first. But I'm firm in my position.

Living from art is possible?

Yes, definitely possible with dedication and hard work.

I'm doing my art work sitting all day in a meditative state of mind, sticking little by little with glue.

My life is not luxurious. No vehicle to travel using public transport, not getting enough support to promote my art work, but I hope to arrive soon in any corner of the world.

I am trying to get in touch with many teams like Art Dubai, but i have no idea how to get there. But I'm sure I can overcome these difficulties.

What skills are needed today for the artist?

I think that, in the final analysis, an artist needs his own talent. In this digital age, some artificial intelligence extensions and digital applications can help an artist to make works of art, but the creative mind is essential.

What do you feel when you create or appreciate a work of art?

When I finish my work and get appreciation from social media, I feel full of joy and enthusiasm.

I thank God for giving me this talent and ability to draw, paint and do collage work.

I've always tried to improve my work with every job..

Your inspirations to create a work of art?

It was the well-known Indian painter Eby. On. Joseph, that inspired me to work seriously with paper collages.

He helped me conduct my first solo in 2001 na Kannur Adco Art Gallery. This show was a huge success and helped me to become an established artist..

Which art has impressed you the most so far?

I can do any kind of work with small pieces of paper, like portraits, landscapes and creative works.

The most challenging subject is monsoon, one of my first rain collages sold out in Bangalore when I hung it on the wall. Many of my rain-related works are out of print..

Rain collage is very challenging. To give feeling and mood of rain, the artist must be in a meditative state. Heavy rain, fast wind, falling rain drops, dancing trees and freshness, all things can be illustrated with pieces of paper.

My first rain collage that I made as an experiment sold out at the Bangalore gallery before the show. Someone came over when we were showing and bought that work.. That was a very inspiring event in my artistic life.. Then I made a lot of rain collages.

What are the challenges of art/artist in the current scenario?

Yes, i can live with works of art.

It really is very challenging, especially those who live in a remote village like ours. I said earlier that I am a full-time artist only doing artwork..

I'm giving preference to commissioned jobs because it's an instant source of income needed for my day to day with my family.

During my free time I create my own collages with different subjects.. I am very happy to say that my works are well accepted by art lovers across India and abroad..

Many of my works are in the collection of lovers of art in France, Holland, USA, United Kingdom and Dubai.

Is your work product unique or closely or distantly related to your previous work?

I always try to make my artwork unique.. but sometimes, doing a series of assignments on separate subjects, there may be some resemblance to others.

For a full-time artist like me, making art is very challenging, because after finishing work in the studio, framing and conducting shows will require a huge amount of money.

Therefore, we need financial help from any agency to promote our art. That's why I'm trying to get in touch with like-minded people. Hope to have a good opportunity soon.

Social networks have helped you to spread your work?

Yes. Social media helped me a lot to spread my art work. through facebook, Whatsapp e do Instagram, i am posting my works and getting good response, but not getting regular buyers.

How plastic arts can contribute to education and culture?

in modern society, the fine arts are contributing a lot to improving education and culture.

In India, children are practicing art from primary level and participating in artistic completions. This gives them confidence and ability to develop creativity.

An artist creates his art not with his hands, but with the heart. Thus, these works of art can touch the heart of the common man. What's up, influencing society and culture.

How you analyze the qualities of a work of art?

Every work of art has its own merits.. Every work of art reflects the state of mind of the artist..

For me, artistic practice is my life. Many are doing art as a hobby., so they have no responsibility to society. They are just copying from the Internet., that are made by others with hard work. Artist like me is committed to society creating art with patience and creativity to please art lovers.

True art must communicate with viewers. Thus, an artist must be completely involved with his thoughts and emotions with his heart.

From my own experience of my previous exhibitions in different cities of India, got good support from art lovers. Many art lovers from other countries have seen my collage works and appreciated. Some of them bought my work for their collection.

Talk about your projects today ...

My new project is to hold my art show abroad. I keep doing my work with a lot of work hoping to get good art promoters to make my dreams come true soon.

What's your advice for those just starting out?

My advice to newcomers is to do artwork with dedication and hard work, mentally and physically to achieve the goal.

I'm sure there's no shortcut method to becoming a artist.

If you want to leave a message ...

My message is always open your heart and mind to the world to observe the minute movements and try to reflect them in your art..

About your exhibitions, have any comments regarding, feelings…

All previous exhibitions have given me great experiences.

Since my first paper collage show, people loved my works. Print and visual media have been very supportive of my becoming an established artist.. Many of the collage works are sold.

People have different experiences with my show before collage just meant cutting and pasting printouts and photos. Everyone is amazed to see portraits and landscapes live with pieces of paper from printed magazines for the first time..

Could you comment on some artistic curiosity?

I am very proud and confident to perform my show abroad.

During my exhibition at Durbar Hall Art Gallery at Ernakulam in Kerala, a lady said she heard a divine OM sound from a collage portrait of Mata Amruthananda MayiDevi, a spiritual lady in kerala.

Another experience I had at Bangalore's KCP Gallery, another lady, asked me to show her my hand with which paper collages are created.

How would you define your art in one line?

No ink, no brush, but with pieces of paper. Only.