Artist Name:
S Paramasivam

Reference Number:
135

Although he remains eager to continue work on 'Shelter', Paramasivam's most recent work is focused on another global problem: environmental decay. In Seattle, he followed the disputes between the logging industry in north-west USA and environmentalists determined to preserve the oldest forests there. Memories challenged him: childhood moments spent by the cool temple tank near his home - a tank which his son would never see, for it had dried up years ago. As he read of India's green past, of its shrinking forest cover, and of the Indian 'Hug-the-Tree' movements, he decided to work, through art, for a greener future.

Thus his newest sculptures, 'Trees' and 'Salute to Old Growth', explore themes of forest loss, East and West. To make them, Paramasivam collected used, recycled wires from the stockyards of Seattle's public utility company.

Thick copper wires or hollow tubes emerge from welded copper cones, then turn into shapes suggesting the sprouts of living trees. The riveted cones touch the ground, supporting growths of copper pieces curved or flattened, copper wires twisting, circling, winding - all almost alive. In this series, one finds both single pieces and pieces grouped in sets of five or more. The sets, which give an impression of a forest, can be arranged and changed by the artist, to show movement and change.

Movement and change - Paramasivam's sculptures have for many years seemed ready to move: to fly, to walk to sway, to enclose, to grow. Paramasivam has not stood still, and neither has his work. And the years to come will surely call forth still more change from the hands of this sculptor. For he is ever eager to try new things, to seek challenge, to follow the advice of his favourite saying,

• Why not ask for an elephant?
• If you Succeed, you get an elephant.
• If you don't, you lose only a few words!

ABOUT

• 1942 Born in Gudiyattam, TamilNadu
• 1961-67 Receives Training at the Government College of Art and Crafts Madras
• 1965 Becomes a life member of Cholamandal Artists Village, Madras
• 1968 Prize in National Exhibition, Kerala
• 1975 Exhibits at III Triennale - India, New Delhi
• 1981 Prize for Sculpture, Ocean Shores; Pelican Bay Gallery, Solo Show, Seattle
• 1983 Green Wood Gallery Downtown, Seattle
• 1988 Bumbershoot, Show, WA; Seattle Urban League, WA; International Art Show, N.Y.; Mercer Island Visual Arts League, WA; National Art Exhibition, New Delhi; Tibals of Water Street, Pt; Townsend, WA.
• 1991 Show at Chola Gallery, Madras; Madras State Lalit Kala Akademi Annual Showl The Madras Metaphor' Exhibition Organized by Ebrahim Alkazi at Art Heritage Gallery, New Delhi