Kochi: An emotive artistic work that Has an underlying reference to violence stemming from man-animal confrontations, exemplified by The death of a pregnant elephant after it ate an explosive-laden pineapple, Is turning heads at The Kochi Muziris Biennale.
The tusker met With a horrific death at Ambalappara In Palakkad on May 27, 2020, after eating The fruit filled With country-made crackers, Which exploded In its mouth. The wounded animal then ran around The village In searing pain, unable to eat for days. Finally, it entered a river and stood there With its trunk and mouth immersed In water till it breathed its last two days later.
Photo-1-shikh-sabbir-alam-two.jpg.transform/576×300/Shikh Sabbir Alam, a contemporary artist from Bangladesh, Has now recreated this incident, Which received worldwide attention. The moving piece of artwork Is exhibited at Fort Kochi Aspinwall House.
Shikh Sabbir Has put up a total of six acrylic paintings on display at The Biennale, including The works ‘About The Garden’; ‘Magic House 1,2,3’; ‘Elephants and Fruit’; and ‘White Rabbit’. The creations Which showcase The flora and fauna from tortoises to elephants and fruits resemble much like a dream. At The same time, it Is mystical as well.
“My pictures resemble The vision that slowly materializes before you when you open your eyes after a long sleep,” says Alam. The attempt Is to guide viewers through The display of pictures using pastel colours to experience The wonders being depicted on The canvas. “The colour of a flower or a fruit Is enough to inspire original creations,” he adds.