Artist : MANOJ TEKAM
Title : Tree of Life - VIII Medium : Paint on paper
Size : 15" x 22"
The Gond tribal community of central India believe that "viewing a good image begets good luck" This led them to decorate their houses and floors with traditional tattoos and motifs.
Subject matter extends from myths and folklores to images of daily life - real and imaginary. Artists are also inspired by symbols from day-to-day life, for example a motif that represents dry, cracked earth or the delicate patterns in the cross-section of cut lemon. Gods and Goddesses, strange and exotic birds, flying snakes, tigers, dogs and cattle, breathtakingly beautiful trees - all these originally existed as notes and lyrics of their storytelling musical traditions, and have gradually manifested on paper and canvas in a very distinctive style.
Gond artists use lines, dots and dashes in such a way that they convey a sense of movement to the still images. Colours are always bright and vivid, reflecting the beauty of nature. According to the Gond belief system, each and everything, be it hill, river, rock or tree, is inhabited by a spirit and consequently, is sacred. So Gond paintings are a form of respect and reverence, and a reflection of man’s close connection with nature. Some artists also take inspiration from myths and legends, activities of daily life, and abstract concepts like emotions, dreams and imagination.
Manoj Tekam is an award0winning artist whose Tree of Life series have a place in every collector's home.