Artist Interview : Senior Artist Venugopal H.S.shares his experience

An Interaction with Artist

Venugopal H.S.

Venugopal H.S. (in black jacket)

Water colour on Paper           182cm x182cm

   

Water Colour on Paper              90cm x 120cm

                     

                                                                              

 

During late 70s and early 80s, the Garden City, Bengaluru, was more beautiful and serene with less traffic,and no hustle and bustle. Life was slow and peaceful. One could hear the birds’ chirping and feel the cool wind brushing against the skin as one walked down the footpaths. At that time, art scenario in Bengaluru was slowly shifting and opening to new trends. A few galleries had come up and were trying to create a platform for artists. The art schools in the city were maximizing their efforts to provide best exposure to students. It was at that time our friend Venugopal H.S. decided to join an art school.

 Venugopal H.S.is a Bengaluru-based artist. For the last five decades, he has been into the field of visual  art, consistently practicing printmaking and painting. To pursue a career in art, he joined Ken School of Art, Bengaluru, which widened his horizon and crystallized his determination to further his studies, under the guidance of eminent artist R.M.Hadpad, who had a contemporary outlook. The years spent at Ken school were very fruitful.  Half way through the course, to pursue art studies in Baroda, Venugopal joined to Diploma course at  M.S.University,Baroda, one of the premier institutions in India. In the proximity of the faculty of the department, his perceptions and practice were moulded and refined.  Eminent artists like Jyoti Bhatt, Gulam Mohammed Sheik, and Neelima Sheik had great influence – teaching and practicing art in Baroda School had shifted from formal modernism to social engagement, narrative and conceptualism. Greater emphasis and interest in Art History, Criticism, Aesthetics, Literature, and Philosophy created an intellectual environment. The environment of the campus had a lasting impact on the young mind of Venugopal. His works done during that period reflect those characteristics.

On coming back, he got a job in higher secondary school as an art teacher, in Bengaluru. As teaching demanded dedication and time, he could not afford much time for his art practice. After completing twenty- nine years of teaching, to engage more with his art practice, he took voluntary retirement. At school, he was a popular teacher for his teaching and narrating stories. Having lots of time on his hand now, he has been practicing with all the zeal of a youngster and showcasing his works in major cities.

 Large tree trunks, roots, vast landscapes with boulders, devoid of human figures, interest him greatly – he desires to explore the beauty and intricacies of nature through his paintings.

 His endearing smile befriends everyone, but, at the same time, he is quite outspoken and candid. He is interested in literature, films and plays, and this interdisciplinary interest has enriched his art practice.

Welcome to our Artist Interview series. I am delighted to invite senior artist Venugopal H.S whose works invite viewers to experience art through a unique perspective. Thank you for joining and sharing your experience.

 Childhood is an important phase in one’s life. We all cherish the memories of childhood. How did your childhood days shape your earliest creativity?

 

 I grew up as an ordinary boy. My father H.G. Shamarao, taught at a government primary school in Vidyanagar, near Bengaluru. Adjacent to the school was a teacher training institute, the vibrant wall paintings in its prayer hall are the one where my love for art first began… I would watch those drawings for hours and try to recreate them in my own style , though I did not know back then that it was my passion. The mountains and nature around my village inspired me too… I grew up climbing those hills, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Friends and teachers at school noticed I was good at drawing and encouraged me to enter a few competitions, I even won a few prizes along the way.

 

 At that time, Ken school was very famous and lots of activities were going on. I think you  are lucky to have been mentored by R.M. Hadpad sir. What was your experience at Ken school of art?

 

     R.M.Hadpad Sir ( second row,seventh from left) and class mates, at Ken School,Bengaluru       

I am the 6^th among 8 children to my parents. By the time I reached PUC, my father had retired. so I could not pursue studies further. After I returned to my native place, Vidya Nagar - I met Shri Mahalingachar, he was a drawing teacher at the teacher training institute and  I began learning under him, just as a hobby. He saw my drawings and suggested me to join Ken School. I forgot about it,until years later at Sheshadripuram, when I saw the Ken School board! I went in and asked someone at the office about admissions. He asked me to bring a parent. Later I realized that person was none other than renowned Shri Hadpadh Sir himself.  It was a great blessing to be his student. My father enrolled me there and that marked the beginning of my journey at Ken School. He inspired me immensely. Until then, I had never been exposed to the North Karnataka dialect, even his way of speaking was new to me. When we could not afford supplies, he provided them and pushed us to work harder. Sir never allowed us to be idle. Living there felt like being in a Gurukula.. we all juniors and seniors learned together, with no partiality at all. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the company of my seniors such as JMS Mani, Suresh, Ramdas, Sham, Tapashetty etc. I learned so much just by observing them, watching them work filled me with a competitive spirit and pushed me to improve. Every evening master used to have discussions with us on new topics. In the beginning, I did not understand much. Hadpad master was the driving force at Ken School, and he made us feel like the school belonged to us and Ken was truly ours!

 

 As I know, Hadpad sir was inviting litterateurs, theater and film personalities, and musicians to school, for interactions.  How have literature, film and theater added to your creative journey?

 

 In my early student days, I used to draw strong characters from literature. Later when I gained technical knowledge of art, literature and theater, it slowly shaped my visual composition, things like dividing foreground and background, the use of shapes and form, light and shadow. 

              Ahalya and.... Open-Bite Etching &Aquatint    36cm x48cm

The way poet K.S. Narasimhaswamy portrays the delicate emotions of females in his poems deeply inspired me, and also themes based on the women personalities from our epics have always been a source of inspiration for my work.

 

To have better art education, a number of art students from Bangalore, Mysore and Kalburgi went to Shantiniketan and Baroda in the early 80s. How did art education at Baroda broaden your vision?

 

  Yes, education at the Faculty of Fine Arts gave me a whole new vision. At Ken School, though we worked on a variety of topics, our learning was mostly through teacher demonstrations. But at Baroda, our skills and knowledge were upgraded through our own practice and library facility. We classmates had the freedom to discuss and critique each other’s work. We were given space to develop our own skills and ideas. The faculty acted as a supportive presence in the background, but they did not rely on demonstration. 

 

 After coming from Baroda, You got a job in a high school. Our readers are interested to know your experience as teacher.

A study for students

 

  As higher secondary school teacher, my focus was always on nurturing children’s creativity. I ensured that I never imposed my own style of work on them. Also tried my own experiments such as grouping children based on their understanding and mental capacity. Have encouraged my students to take part in several inter school competitions, conducted many workshops and organized exhibitions of their artwork to develop their interest in art. As a result of this approach, the children gained confidence and developed their skills. Today, even though they are in different professions, many still practice art.

 

 I have been seeing your work regularly. Large canvases with trunks and roots. Very interesting!

How do you connect yourself with nature as your most of the paintings are based on it?

 

                246cm x 123cm

                              Nature has influenced me since childhood. Earlier my compositions included both human figures and nature elements. Today I am drawn more to nature itself. Plants, trees and boulders, their shapes and forms resonate with me like as if they are an extension of me. Through them I create new subjects and express my own life experiences.

 

 There is lot of difference between print making and painting. You studied print making in Baroda. What is your experience as print maker and painter?

 

Litho Print                  30cm x 37cm

 As a printmaker, I was very enthusiastic about learning the medium at Baroda,and  exploring various graphic techniques was essential for me. The discipline of using limited colours, tones and creating strong, impacting prints stayed with me. It influenced the process of my painting. I started using minimal colours and that restraint became my own unique style. A kind of signature that people now identify with me.

  

Etching &Aquatint  print                       11cm x14cm    

Every artist’s journey is very interesting and colourful  though riddled with struggles. Share with us a most memorable incident of your art journey.

 

 With the encouragement of renowned artist Shri K.K. Hebbar, I received a state academy scholarship to study at Baroda. I went there with great excitement - knowing only Kannada language at that time. The practical entrance test was never a problem for me, but due to the language barrier, I could not clear the written test. My name did not appear in the first list and I was heart broken. I shared this with B.V. Suresh. He spoke to Shri K.G. Subramanyam and sent me to his chamber. I went in nervous and scared. I could not speak properly; he just took my sketchbook, looked at my work and said Ja Ja, gesturing for me to go. I thought I had ruined it. But later, K.G. sir told Suresh that my practical work was good and I would get a seat. And I did! My name came in the second list. Soon after, he was transferred to Shantiniketan. Most of the college teaching faculty and students gathered at the railway station to bid him farewell. It was an incredibly heart touching moment that I will never forget!

 

I truly appreciate you for spending your valuable time and sharing your experience of art journey and beautiful images with our readers. Thank you.

Acrylic on Canvas                 61cm x 92cm

Acrylic on Canvas               52cm x77cm

 

  

Acrylic & Charcoal  on Cloth                                             151cm x 273cm