Sujith SN

Born in Baroda in 1980, Sujith SN spent his formative years in Gujarat before his parents settled back in Palghat, Kerala. Sujith took BFA from the Fine Arts College, Thrissur and went on to pursue a post graduation in painting at the SN School of Fine Arts, Performing Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad. Currently he is a final year MFA student there.

Sujith has participated in a few important group shows held in Mumbai and Kerala. His works are inspired by architectural and organic forms and he likes to restructure and redefine the Renaissance perspective in his works. He works mainly on paper using water colours, dry pastel and charcoal as mediums. However, he works on canvases too. His works are in major collection in India. Sujith is on his way to present his first solo in 2007.

When did Sujith start working seriously?

“I would like to explain my background before I talk about my works. My father was in military service and he passed away when I was in my school final. There was a pressure from the family and well wishers to enroll me in the military services. I went to Hyderabad to give tests to join army and I was selected. However, I did not like to become a soldier as my mind was totally in pursuing art. I abandoned the army job. But felt the need for obtaining a job. So I studied Draughtsman Course and worked in the construction firms.

I was interested in architectures and my ability of draw helped me to excel in the construction field. Still I wanted to become an artist. Finally, I left everything, convinced my family and joined the Fine Arts College. I perfected my drawing during the BFA years and most of the drawings had architectural elements in them. Whenever I referred to the Kerala architectures, I felt like repeating myself. Hence, I traveled extensively in Tamil Nadu and worked on the architectural ensembles found there. It was a very revealing experience. My works had a very strong architectural quality during the BFA years.”

Who and what inspired him in BFA?

 “It was a fresh course in the college. K.K.Sasi was our teacher and he directed us to see and read more. Though the college library was insufficient, I had the opportunity to refer the Lalit Kala Akademy library situated in the neighborhood. I used to be a regular in the library and many people took me for a library staff member. The hours that I spent there have helped me immensely in organizing myself as an artist. And another artist Ajith Kadinthuruthi was my inspiration to pursue fine arts seriously.”

What were the influences?

“As an artist I feel that influences are passing things. They come and go. When I first saw the works of Vincent Van Gogh, I thought the ultimate paintings should be like his. Then I found Ansalem Keifer and Boltansky. I studied the Indian miniatures quite closely. The architectural representations and the multiple perspectives used in them enthralled me. Perhaps, it was my affinity towards the miniatures took me to the works of K.G.Subramanyan, Gulam Mohammed Sheikh, Bhupen Khakkar and so on. I even fell in love with works of David Hockney. Now I feel that I have digested them well. My works do not reflect their sensibilities.”

How does he view his relocation in Hyderabad?

“Hyderabad has a nostalgic affiliation in my life. It was here I came for the army recruitment program. Then I looked at the city through a different eye. Now I am student here and I feel very much comfortable with the city. This city challenges me in many ways with its logic defying architectural edifices. This is a high tech city and I like the feel of it. My works find their energy from these surroundings. Urban spaces have taught me a lot more than what I learned from the books.”

His works have a remote semblance with those of Tony Cragg

“I do not know. Tony Cragg is one artist whom I have not given that much attention. Of course I have seen his works but they do not inspire me much. My concentration is on architectural redistributions and their perspectives. I think I like Kiefer more than Cragg.”

How does he assess his new works?

“My works are about urbanization; its logic defying pace and space. The architectures have an ethereal relationship with the human beings around. I capture that feel in my works, though human beings are not depicted that much in my works.”

How does he observe his success in the market place?

“I have been constantly promoted by an art promoter based in Kerala. He has put me in shows and now many gallerists have approached me to work with them. I have not planned my future career in sheer accuracy. I would like to participate in good shows and also would like to present my solo show sometime in 2007. I am not over productive. Nor do I want to do a lot of works only to become commercially successful. I feel that I have certain weak points in my conceptual orientation. I need to perfect them in positive way before I commit too many things with too many people.”

Where is he going to be in the coming two years?

“I am sure that I would be painting. Currently I work with dry pastels and charcoal. I do some acrylic on canvas also. I will be working seriously towards better results.”