Take a trip with artist Gurudas Shenoy on his Journeys Within

Journeys Within, a solo show by artist Gurudas Shenoy, is currently underway in the city  

At Journeys Within one can see artist Gurudas Shenoy’s fondest recollections unravel from the recesses of his soul — and there is the distinct feeling that the canvases aren’t enough to capture the overflow from his treasure house of memories.

The artist who recently turned 60 says, “The show is called Journeys Withinbecause the works are a reflection of my life, my spiritual journey, my thoughts, childhood’s precious belongings, vignettes from my travels — so much inspires me. The confidence, freedom and emotions within me flows like a story.”

Journeys Within has been parsed into two sections — Spiritual Odyssey and Timeless Narratives — where even the briefest of glances reveal canvases brimming with tales waiting to be heard.

Louvred windows open out on to the vistas of his mind and into his soul, framing glimpses of his beloved Hampi, dogeared books atop travel-worn suitcases and trunks, bowls of fruit, vases and lamps, a little bird perched on the bow of a boat, temple steps and caparisoned umbrellas, and so much more.

“I often share stories from my childhood or experiences from my travels in my previous series. Journeys Within is a bit about what goes on in my mind as well as what I’ve observed on the outside. Having worked for four decades as an artist, I can say Journeys Within is a reflection of my life.”

Talking about the series, Gurudas says it wasn’t an intentional documentation of his lived experiences. “I am constantly creating and because I keep working with various media, one can note a difference in my continuity of thought,” says the artist, who adds that at any given time he is working on multiple canvasses, as oils need time to dry between layers.

“But, it is like a conversation you can pick up where you left off, and I have quite a few interesting conversations with my canvases,” says the artist for whom the act of creating goes beyond giving charcoal and colour a forum. As he describes the bounce of the canvas under his hand, the rhythmic moment or the rasp of charcoal, you realise for Gurudas, painting is an immersive, sensory encounter.