In a continuation of In Touch, an online exhibition platform, Siji Krishnan’s portraits that flow between abstracts and figurative structures are on display

Artist Siji Krishnan is known for her portraits. She began with portraits of people she knew intimately, moving gradually to acquaintances and strangers. Her new set of works establish an intimate connection between the sitter and herself. “It’s a feeling”, she says. “After all, how well do we know even ourselves? It’s about anticipation and discovery.”

Presented by Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, her works are on display at the exhibition ‘Siji Krishnan — Portraits’ which is a part of the third edition of In Touch.

“How does one navigate and negotiate the viewing of art in times of crisis? It still is essential and life-affirming. In Touch is a collective that brings together curated presentations by galleries, combined with artist conversations, says Ranjana Steinruecke, director, Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke.

With 11 works on display, she aims to capture the presence of all the qualities she senses. This can be seen in her choice of colours with restrained detailing, for an unchecked flow of consciousness.

“I am realising that it is essential to move beyond physical boundaries. This will also help me to better understand the processes of my mind. I am fascinated by the idea of portraits — of people, other living beings and nature — delving into the inner depths of their personalities, inviting them to saturate my senses. They are mostly unclear images and are perceived by me in abstraction though they do have a figurative structure,” says Krishnan.

A number of the portraits were developed during the three months she spent at the Koganecho Artist-in-Residence Program, from July to October 2019. With her soft watercolour washes and contours, she is interested in emphasising stance and gesture, while paring down physicality.

Living and working in Kochi, Krishnan studied at the Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts, Kerala and the Sarojini Naidu School of Fine Arts, Hyderabad. Her works are part of the collections of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi; the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, USA.

The exhibition can be viewed in Art In Touch’s website till September 15