On Abstraction

“One of the fundamental factors for expression in art is abstraction. Every creative work has been abstract in the entire history of art. To call abstraction new or modern is wrong. What is modern today would be passed by tomorrow and become an antiquity, while abstraction in art is an ongoing process.”

“In India and most Eastern countries, color and symbolism in visual expression had already achieved refinement and significance through graphic manifestations which include all forms of visual art.”

“Symbolism has been used, misused and turned around by artists to meet their individual needs for expression. Abstraction has led to symbolism and vice versa, like the interplay of nut and bolt, to express even the most complex thoughts of an artist.

“Artists must be passionately attached to every element which interests them. Thereafter, or even simultaneously, the process of detachment should start by careful distillation before one launches their creative work. Popularly this has been called ‘Abstraction.’ Mark Rothko said, “I want to say less than I know.” On the other hand, Picasso reveled in stating more and more. Both views are absolutely correct in their pursuit for abstraction because such a crucial decision can only be dictated by the artist’s individual psyche.”

On Spirituality

“Any kind of effort made for the Spiritual Level does not ensure spirituality, because it shows up on its own; if it ever shows up.”

“They (Klee, Kandinsky, Rothko, Mondrian, Gorky, Brancusi) opened new horizons and demolished the established norm that only religious subjects could make Spiritual Art.”

On the Search for Truth

“The only possible explanation of the genius lies in its ability to reach the subconscious to generate new thoughts and creative ideas and then to translate them effectively in any field, whether it is in the performing and visual arts, literature, philosophy or science.”

“The search for the truth in emotions is a deep one. It directs one to conscious, subconscious and even unconscious levels. It requires the artists to have conscious perceptions of completely unknown and unknowable phenomena, both in the inner and outer world like the auras, visions and vibrations.”

On Humanity

“Communication is the fundamental need of mankind. It started with the beginning of civilisation, much before the advent of languages and scripts. The meanings of different sounds were given forms by linear drawings, through which the objects were identified. Thus, it would not be out of place to say that drawing is the precursor of all visual means of communication.”

“Doubts and uncertainties have multiplied as fast as progress itself, to the extent that even the existence of the planet Earth and its inhabitants is being threatened. Ananda (bliss), which is the primary objective of any progress for mankind, is the first casualty. In comparison to material progress, Ananda is not even a respectable subject of debate anymore, although according to Gautama Buddha, ‘Ananda is not the half of holy life, it is the whole of the holy life, in friendship, association and communication with the beautiful.’ -This is what creative artists can provide to counter the aura of shame, hate, fear and violence. Society needs the artists now, more than ever before, to help in cutting such knots and to provide the necessary balance.”

“The fundamental sensitivities which help creativity are not discarded. As a matter of fact, there is a growing understanding that they are needed now more than ever, to vigorously distil and throw out the chaos, confusion and resultant junk. Despite all kinds of assaults, people around the world have not lost their sanity, their sense of belonging or dignity.”

Art in Art by Om Prakash