In this episode, artist Sameer Kulavoor talks to me about how his shift from commercial art to fine art required a fundamental shift in how he viewed his practice as a whole; he discusses his views on generative AIs and how today’s art students can use this moment to discover a more personal approach to creativity; and about how his work shapeshifts across scale and scope even while being governed by a singular concept.
Some of the projects and shows Sameer mentions in this interview: the Blued book, the Ghoda Cycle Project, Parfum Sassoon, Metromorphosis, and Brick by Brac. (See a few images from these below.)
Listen to the complete episode (or find a link for this episode on your preferred podcast platform) here: https://rss.com/podcasts/happyaccidentspod/3003449
Sameer Kulavoor’s practice emerges from a way of seeing and decoding his surroundings, translating impressions into imaginative and intuitive forms and compositions. His works are ruminations on the ever-changing metropolis and what it means to exist in it, capturing its ephemerality, idiosyncrasies and multiplicity, much of which often goes unnoticed, unrecorded or undocumented.
With over two decades in art and design, Kulavoor has found himself drawn to investigating patterns, peculiarities and anomalies in our complex landscape. This play with colours, textures, compositions and forms defamiliarize the viewer of the mundane, drifting through a sense of abstraction and imagination. Veiled behind his playful compositions lies a sincere reflection on urban life and the impact of time, culture, politics, and socio-economic conditions on our built environment. Kulavoor rigorously experiments with various ways of making and outlets, including paintings, drawings, animation films, printmaking, zines, murals, and public art projects.
Visit www.sameerkulavoor.com to find out more about his work.
Follow Sameer on Instagram at instagram.com/sam_kulavoor