The Primordial Crocodile, the Ramayana and the Mystical Quality of Writing
Welcome to my Newsletter, 15th August 2024
My calligraphic triptych based on ancient writing is currently hanging at the beautiful Humble House Gallery in Canberra, Australia. Humble House is a wonderful venue full of expertly curated artefacts, exquisite textiles, ceramics and other treasures.
‘Revelation’
India ink and watercolour on Italian paper
42 x 59.4 cm (Artwork dimensions excluding framing)
With the red painting of the series, I wanted to evoke the sacred and mysterious quality of writing - I conceived of this piece as a mystical revelation in calligraphic form. The letters are composed from fragments of ancient Indian written languages, each with their unique visual characteristics. As such, the text is not of any known language and the words cannot be read, reflecting the unknowable essence of the divine.
‘Makara’
Willow charcoal on Italian paper
42 x 59.4 cm (Artwork dimensions excluding framing)
The charcoal drawing in this series shows a crocodile emerging from the watery depths as a symbol of enigma. As an amphibious and primordial animal, the crocodile is poised between water and land, moving between the realms of the conscious and unconscious. The crocodile eye to the centre right is a symbol of power, wisdom and insight that is specifically animal in nature, and from the deep past.
‘Dandakaranya’
India ink and watercolour on Italian paper
50 x 61.5 cm (Artwork dimensions excluding framing)
The green painting in the triptych is inspired by the Ramayana folk epic, and the Dandakaranya region where Rama was exiled with his wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshmana. This forest region was populated by demons and other dark entities. I sought to evoke such a place with this painting. The forms are inspired by South Asian written scripts, characters and symbols.
Pricing: 7,500AUD for the set of three, or 2,500AUD each. The artworks are shipped framed and ready to hang. Provenance: Each piece includes a Certificate of Authenticity. Contact Roger Carter or Weilian at Humble House Gallery (roger@humblehouse.com.au), or email me at web@gautamjhanjee.com.
