It took almost two decades for artist SG Vasudev to convert his paintings into tapestry. In a conversation with Arjita Mishra, he shares that he was inspired after seeing tapestries of Picaso and Braque
It is not always when an artist converts his paintings into tapestry. The tapestries on display at The Visual Art Gallery at IIC, by SG Vasudev are breathtakingly beautiful. But it took the artist two decades of painstaking to turn his dream into reality.
The collection of tapestries in silk titled Painted Weaves, present the images from from different series of paintings such as, Tree of life, Maithuna, Humanscape, Earthscapes and Theatre of life. Through this medium, the artist explores the eternal synergy between art and craft, and the traditional and contemporary.
“I’ve always liked to work with different crafts. At Cholamandal too, we used to work with copper and other metals. I went to Paris and learnt the technique of stained glass, but unfortunately couldn’t do much because it is difficult to get the material here,” the artist said.
During his travel he saw the tapestry based on the works of masters such as Picasso and Mathis displayed in corporate offices and was inspired. The first piece of tapestry took six months. But soon Vasudev understood the weaver’s needs and told him, “If you don’t mind, let’s work together.”
Excerpts from his interview:
From where did the idea of converting your collection of paintings into tapestry cross your mindIJ
During my visits to museums, galleries and private collections abroad, several years ago, I came across contemporary tapestries of artists like Picasso, Braque, et al. I knew that those were not done by the artists but by some expert weavers. So I started looking for a good weaver with whom I could work in collaboration. During a visit to a show of MF Husain in Bangalore, I saw a few tapestries of his paintings in his studio and asked him whether he got it done by someone in Benaras. He said that it was done by a weaver in Bangalore itself and so it became easy for me to meet this weaver, Subbarayulu. Since 1995 we have been collaborating and creating tapestries from my paintings.
How long did it take to convert your paintings into tapestryIJ
As I said, we have been working for nearly 20 years together. It took sometime for both of us to understand each other — may be a year or two. Once we understood each others methodology it became easy for us to collaborate without any problem.
Have you converted all of your work or are there a few selected onesIJ
Selected ones. I choose the work which would go well in the media of tapestry.
How did you explain the weavers about the minute details of your paintingsIJ
It was difficult in the initial stages. Being an expert weaver, weaving beautiful sarees, and being a master weaver himself, he could adopt himself to the details of my paintings.
How was your experience of working with the craftsmenIJ
It is a great experience. I always respect craftsmen and our Indian craftsmen are really good.
What are the problems you faced during the whole processIJ
Except the early stages, till we understood each other, there were no problems in the whole process.
What was the amount that you had to pay to the weavers for a single piece of tapestryIJ
There is no such definite price I pay them. Depending on the complexity of the design he would charge me and I would pay him.
What is the new project that you are currently working onIJ
I have always taken interest in extending my art to other mediums such as copper work, wood inlay, and tapestry. I have done work with writers in creating book jackets, theatre people creating masks and sets and film makers doing work as art director. I have lot of ideas to work in ceramics, enamel et al. which I propose to do in the near future. But my main work like drawing and painting goes on.