JOIN USArtworks based on sun signs are not hard to come by, so it is an achievement to paint sun sign-inspired artworks that can grab one’s attention. Artist Gouri Vemula has managed to do so in her recent series ‘The Fantasy World of Gouri
Vemula’. But her work is not purely sun sign based; it is mingled with the fantasies that bloom in her mind.
Fantasies can run wild with the imagination of the creator and Vemula’s work transports one to a dreamland. From an earthy Taurus bull that has transformed with its horns growing into tree branches to the water sign Cancer, with its varying moods and love for beauty depicted in the several imaginary floral characters, Vemula has drawn different sun signs in their essential form but with new elements.
Earlier in 2013, she was working on gods like Ganapati, Shakti, Lakshmi and Krishna. Later she got inspired to work on sun signs. “In many temples you are asked about your horoscope and sun signs. That is when I got an idea about working with zodiac signs,” Vemula explains.
Her artwork is much influenced by flora, which she has also been working on previously.
As she had been working with printmaking before, the technique reflected in her recent artworks. “I know the importance of straight lines. Also, once you get to work with pastel colours or black and white, other colours can become too harsh to look at. That is why I have used pencil as a medium in this series,” Vemula says.
Her next series will be based on the Hindu festivals of India. “I will start by drawing festivals from Telangana and will expand it to other states later,” she adds.
The exhibition ‘The Fantasy World of Gouri Vemula’ is at Art Heritage, Triveni Kala Sangam, 205, Tansen Marg, till October 7 from 11 am to 7 pm.