Sathyabhama K, now 65, did not know she was destined to be an artist until the pandemic hit, a tough time to be a daily wager. The year was 2021, says Sathyabhama. Sitting confined to home she drew a peacock and sent it to her nephew Vishnupriyan.
“He complimented me and encouraged me to colour it. Since I didn’t know how to colour it, I asked for his help. He asked me not to be afraid. Open the colour tube, take out the brush and do it,” he said. Sathyabhama says it was a life-changing moment for her and she became motivated to draw on a large canvas.
Her paintings and sculptures from 2021, numbering around 60, are currently on display at Lalitha Kala Academy gallery in Thrissur. The solo show titled 'Pontha Kaaduketty'. was made possible through a grant from the Academy. Sathyabhama, currently a resident of Pang, a remote village in Malappuram district, says the canvas serves as a medium to portray her memories and experiences.
'Pontha' means shrubs and Sathyabhama, who now works as a housemaid, previously worked many jobs including cutting undergrowth and in construction. Sathybhama says she chose a title which was related to her job of cutting shrubs.
Sathyabhama's art extends beyond canvas. She utilises hardboard, jar lids, broken plates and pots and more to express her creativity. “I never studied or learned art in school. I experimented with doodling during the pandemic and never expected to hold an exhibition in a gallery," she said.
Sathyabhama's paintings reflect the innocence of someone unfamiliar with advanced art techniques. If you wonder how to overcome a crisis through art, Sathyabhama's paintings could provide the answer. “I want to paint on a larger canvas, but the limited facilities at home do not allow it. Nevertheless, I will continue to draw," she says.
She started sculpting inspired by her nephew who had brought home clay to make a sculpture. When she began creating some shapes her nephew encouraged her.
The clay sculptures are fired in the kitchen fireplace, a process that spans eight hours. One installation portrays a crow picking dried bitter gourd, while another illustrates the turmeric drying process. Crows are featured prominently in her artworks and undoubtedly the sculptures evoke her memories from the past. The exhibition will end on Wednesday, October 25.
Sathyabhama who was born in Tirur began working at the age of 10 moved to Wayanad at the age of sixteen after her marriage. However, the marriage didn't last long, leading her to decide against marrying again. Her decision was to work and earn a steady income. Over time, Sathyabhama held various jobs, before transitioning to housework.
Sathyabhama’s artworks were first exhibited in an art gallery in Kozhikode. Her nephew Vishnupriyan and his friends continue to support her artistic journey.