ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing ArtsISSN (Online): 2582-7472
When
we talk of Portraits as a Document, while exploring the self-portraits
of Dr. Yashodhar Mathpal. I
perceived that exploring more and more of his self-portraits did change my idea
to interpret the same image over considerable time. I know I cannot go back in
history to relive the time when these portraits were produced: but all I have
is these documented portraits which reflect his life journey with changing
interpretations of it. In a certain way when I look at them, I might feel that
I am in the same time period as I relive the moments
through the psychoanalytical review of his self-portraits. We all have read and
seen in the history of arts that certain paintings are more relevant to us than
to others. Only our observation and keen understanding can help us understand
the complexity of the painting, that is where we must re-interpret each time,
we look at the self-portrait.
That is where ‘Contextualization’ is
considered a crucial term to understand how images are created. The portrait is
unreadable outside its historical, emotional, and social circumstances. This
also include the attitude of the viewer towards the author-i.e., the artist.
The artist here is the author of his own autobiography that he paints through
these self-portraits. We have read and
seen it in the history of arts, that the artists paint their self-portraits to
capture themselves, identity, self-impression, thereby increasing
self-awareness by increasing their perceptions about their visual
characteristics. This activity allows the therapeutic aspect of self-
expression to the artist. These
self-portraits appeal towards personal expression rather than just their physical
features. Artist enjoys being his real self rather than thinking about others
and their concepts. The individual who self- scrutinizes himself/ herself, as
artist has no need of motivation and ideas because the already have the ideas
all they have to do is to express to them.
Self-portraits when documenting life of the artist are merely a reflection of
his inner self. To put these personal real life experiences at this level to
showcase them through self-portraits and the portraits of the loved one’s is
more significant than to
write about them. That is where the artistic ‘genius’
comes into action. That is when the artist plays a role of author documenting
his life through the portraits and self-portraits. Cavallaro (2000), As a reader of this visual book, the portraits are merely a product of
interpretation that I draw from the vision of the artist himself. Interpretation
must definitely be added but should never be
conclusive. Any artwork in the world does not have a single meaning to it, it
rather offers vast signs and galaxies that can be followed in many directions.
The term ‘genius’ describes a person who has
exceptionally intellectual and imaginative powers. The artist has had the same
characteristics that qualify him as a genius being on this planet. Coming from
the pre-historic to contemporary time artist being radically the same. Aimed to
express on a deeper level as he communicates his ideas and emotions through
images. A visual documentation through paintings. Funch (1997) The
artist who develops flexibility towards the attitudes has more freedom in order to carry forward his/her ideas. Artist Dr. Yashodhar Mathpal has used his
diverse nature to accept the flexibility of each medium thereby creating his
self-portraits and portraits from both two-dimensional to three-dimensional
forms. Making a choice of using different mediums combined effectively to offer
his viewers to develop a sense of adventure to understand and develop sense
with his self-portraits and portraits. Each work of art has a message to the
contrasting characters of the artist if painted or casted. Myers (1994)
While
writing this a question clicks my mind. Does the use of variety of materials
change the meaning of how we look at a work of art? Of course, it highlights
the artist genius to combine mediums to fine a unique way in which he tries to
express himself. Combining new ideas and material could possibly be a
satisfying means to express himself. As a researcher I must dwell into the
environment in which the artist himself lives to get the firsthand experience
of these self-portraits that he created. Experience the changing patterns in
his life, learn from them, and discuss it with him for a better interpretation
of his artwork. Pollock (2013)
Art as
being interpreted is a way of revelation, where through the access of
medium-i.e., paint, drawing, sculpture the artist transcends the existence of
the artwork. These techniques encourage the artist to express his intuitive
ideas, the mental image that he creates in his mind. There might be times when
the artist might not know about his source of inspiration. There could be failures in an
attempt to try to express his mental image(vision). Possibly times when
he would contemplate his own work. Sharma (1944), Wilson (1981) 3. CONCLUSION Revelation
of a portrait or self-portrait is not a show to another world, it is the actual
experience through which the artist himself goes while he paints then and looks
at them after years passed by. Once the experience has been felt by the artist,
he knows that the viewer might experience the same as it reaches through
communication. The artist has this power
where he might heal his neurosis on his own, by indulging himself into another
artwork. This absolute integration of the artist and himself, in the process of
self-portraits is another indispensable quality of portrait painting. A truly
integrated self-portrait can give rise to the artist’s peak experience while he
paints it, also with viewer genuinely. The total effect of portrait might not
necessarily show up in the first encounter. At times instantly and at times
gradually, depending upon perception of the onlooker. Likely to be said that
expression and feeling go hand in hand. In order to
express oneself, the artist must feel. The artist had the opportunity to
comprehend his story through his recreated self-portraits. In other words, he
was able to give a new dimension to his image and form of documenting his life
with the available that he was able to collect from the past. The documentation
of few of his self-portraits have been done to record the important events.
Artists from the history experienced many wars and tragedies but not many of
them painted them. Instead of copying the disasters recreate them in a positive
manner that is the power of art. This is how an artist expressed his life
through the documentation of his self-portraits and the portraits of the loved
one’s. Refrences Cavallaro, D. (2000). Art For Beginners. Writers and Readers. Funch, B. S. (1997). The Psychology of Art Appreciation. Museum Tusculanum Press. Myers, B. (1994). How to Look at Art. Grolier Enterprises, Inc. Pollock, G. (2013). Visual Politics of Psychoanalysis : Art and the Image in Post-Traumatic Cultures (New Encounters: Arts, Cultures, Concepts). I.B. Tauris. Sharma, O. (1944). Art In Art. Abhinav Publications. Wilson, F. A. (1981). Art a Revelation. The Role of Art in Human Existence. Centaur Press, Great Britain.
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