28 Oct 2023  |   04:23am IST

Goan in UK to creates history in art

From vegetable and ice carving in Goa to exhibiting his solo exhibition, ‘Identity’ at The Nehru Centre (TNC), the cultural wing of The High Commission of India in UK, Vivek Pereira has come a long way to create a name for himself in the global art scene. He is the youngest and only Goan artist having a solo show in the entire 31 years of the Centre’s history

Dolcy D’Cruz

 

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rt has no boundaries and Vivek Pereira, originally from Chorao, has proved it true. After exhibiting his art across Goa, the United Kingdom, Rome and Los Angeles, he is now going to open his new exhibition, ‘Identity’ at the Nehru Centre, UK on October 31.

Vivek began his formal art training in 2010 at Pyde Pyper Academy, Dona Paula headed by Wilson D’Souza. He then headed to Blake College of London, Hampstead School of Art and finally, Middlesex University of London. “Growing up in Goa, I found a love of creating with my hands - building narkasurs for Diwali, winning vegetable carving competitions, and even making ice sculptures for my father’s catering business, Pascoal Caterers. Some years ago, I found an article that mentioned my grandfather had catered for Jawaharlal Nehru, so my show being at the Nehru Centre feels a lot more special,” says Vivek Pereira, as he gets set for a career defining exhibition.

The Indian Embassy in London displays a minimum of one art exhibition every month at the Nehru Centre in London. A group show of Goan artists for the Indo-British International Art festival was also held. “However, I have been selected as the youngest and only Goan artist having a solo show in the entire 31 years of this Centre’s history. I was selected mainly because of my commissioned work in London and the current series. After exhibiting and selling work in Los Angeles, Rome, London and Goa, I have proven a strong and consistent track record around the world, which allowed my current art series to be considered by the prestigious Nehru Centre,” informs Vivek, who will be displaying 15 paintings, including sketches, prints, fashion designs, and for the first time ever - his three hand painted custom handmade bags.

Using oil pastel, oil paint on Khadi cloth and canvas, Vivek has been working over five years on this project, which began with the initial ideation while travelling through India. That’s the reason the exhibition is titled as Identity. It evokes a deep sense of belongingness which is difficult to ignore for this artist. The exhibited artworks are inspired by films from the Indian golden era of the 20th century which are easily recognized by the public in India.

Intrigued by textiles and patterns, his practice involves this series of paintings made with Khadi cloth. Khadi cloth was also a symbol of communal unity, economic freedom and self-reliance during the Indian Independence movement. Each painting has the name of a film based on a poster from a particular film which the artist has digitally altered from traditionally handmade film posters. He then embeds the khadi cloth and paints thinly by recreating the paintings with his own language of energetic brush strokes. Thereby, resulting in an organic process of controlled chaos between figuration and abstraction.

Vivek’s paintings are known for revealing stories, a new perception to the viewer on closer observation. The more one looks at it, the work reveals itself. The attractive colour palette and embedded khadi cloth engages the viewer to details in the composition.

“Having been inspired by the culturally changing landscape, I decided to merge everyday Indian commodities and brands. This film poster which used to be traditionally handmade, I have modified the image which will later be printed on clothing that I have designed as a community project,” he elaborates.

He further adds, “The original idea to create the clothing was to involve the transgender community in India so that they could create their own clothing without any stigma.”

Vivek has been working as a learning needs teaching assistant at St Joseph’s Perivale Primary School, London. He enjoys teaching children as well as being connected to art.

“I have only recently been creating art full time, and I like to maintain a good connection with my peers. Teaching children with learning needs has allowed me to be of service, and provided the opportunity to attend museum exhibitions in the evenings. It also offers much-needed financial stability to create art. But I think my favourite part about teaching children and adults is really about what they teach me - to always see the world through curious eyes, let your imagination run free, and be a compassionate human being. These are amazing daily reminders for any and all artists,” explains Vivek.

Speaking about his plan for the future, Vivek says, “My vision is to see individuals wear my designs on catwalks, to provide more opportunities for them to have jobs and businesses by supplying them with equipment, teaching them to stitch and produce their own clothing.”

The show is available to the public in Mayfair, London from October 31 to November 3 at The Nehru Centre, London