Scratches beneath the Surface//Portraits of Survivor Fishermen
A series of paintings with an ink wash background, pastel portraits and gelly pen illustrations accompanied by original poetry.
These paintings are the result of a design project where I worked with the fisherfolk of Trivandrum, Kerala. The inspiration for these portraits came from the wild adventures and stories of narrow escape that mark the fisherfolk's lives and scar their bodies and minds. The paintings are particularly of those who have gone back to the ocean even after near death incidents instead of giving up on the profession altogether.
This one's for Antony, Thomas, Vivan and the boys of Puthiyathora and Thumba beaches.
Antony | Thumba Beach
Poem: Of all that promises to stay / but goes away
atleast the ocean hungers the sea shore / relentlessly
Vivan | Puthiyathora Beach
Poem: No apprehension / or instruction
can keep apart what's meant to be /
maybe it's time to believe / in a destiny
Thomas | Puthiyathora Beach
Poem: Stars trace path from ship to shore /
empty nets leaking with grand dreams / of adventures with the ocean waves /
of close saves and near escapes / of why he chose the sea in the first place
dawn, she arrives with too much light and colour /
fishermen seek instead night's inky cover
to dream, to dream; to dream.
Ibrahim | Kovalam Beach
Poem: Of all the things / these eyes have seen / these hands have held
this skin has felt; / this heart beats for you, / with saltwater in your veins.
Sunil | Thumba Beach
Poem: When the ocean is all you know /
the ocean is where you go.
