Art exhibition by Sumila Modi and Ashok Katakam sheds light on the work of three generations of Convergence Artists
Art exhibition by Sumila Modi and Ashok Katakam sheds light on the work of three generations of Convergence Artists
A father-daughter duo will be exhibiting their artworks in Hyderabad, each exploring different techniques of the art. The daughter, Sumila Modi, will exhibit her paintings with a distinctive textured quality thanks to her use of a palette knife, while the father, retired architect Ashok Katakam, will display his pen and ink drawings and some sculptural works. Both will pay tribute to Ashok Katakam’s mother, artist Sushila Jayaram (1926–1990). The show, titled Convergence, will be on view at Gallery 78 from June 10 to 17.
Says Sumila, “We have done a lot of things at home, of which art has been the most important. She lost her grandmother when she was young but the art she left was an inspiration. Sumila spent her early years in the UK before returning to India and attending Rishi Valley School, and later pursuing higher studies in economics and finance: “But interest in the arts never waned.”
Pursuing a career in marketing and interior design, she found herself inclined towards the arts over the years. “I’ve taken a few short courses and I’m currently training with artist Sean Heffernan. He urged me to try something new, and that’s when I started using a palette knife, one of the techniques my grandmother discovered Using a palette knife gave a gimmicky quality to my pictures; it was as if I had the freedom to sculpt a scene.”
Sumila’s paintings in vibrant colors are free-flowing, in contrast to her father Ashok Katakam’s pen and ink drawings in black and white, with a hint of color recreating the rural lifestyle. “My father’s art reflects his eye for subtle details,” says Sumila.
(Clockwise) Sushila Jayaram, Ashok Katkam and Sumila Modi. photo credit: special arrangement
Convergence began as an attempt to showcase Sumila’s works. “Over the years, I felt an evolution in my work and I was ready to showcase my work,” she says. Two of his works from his series HURT (Hope, Unity, Resilience and Tolerance) were displayed earlier this year as part of an exhibition organized by Hyderabad Art Group on migration during COVID-19 in India. “For the sake of convergence, I wanted my father to display his work as well. His work has been personal for all these years.”
Ashok Katakam remembers his mother Sushila actively pursuing the arts when he was a child, growing up in the United Kingdom. “My mother exhibited her work in China and Egypt, among other countries. I can see the parallels between my mother’s and my daughter’s work using a palette knife.”
If you try to watch Sushila Jayaram online, you are likely to reach a dead end as her work has not been documented in the public domain. Sumeela recounts how some of Hyderabad’s stalwarts remember their grandmother’s work: “Artist Lakshma Goud remembers her work and how she helped him in the early stages of his art journey.”
Sushila Jayaram grew up in the Madras Presidency of pre-independence India and later moved to Delhi and the UK. His artistic journey saw him discover oil paintings, palette knife techniques, and watercolor paintings.
A pen and ink drawing by Ashok Katakam, exploring a rural theme. photo credit: special arrangement
Sumila credits her interest in art to both her father and grandmother: “My grandmother’s artistic expressions, my father’s design sensibility and my mother Sabrina’s talent in Chinese crafting – all contributed to me finding my own artistic voice. “
(The Convergence opens on 10 June at Gallery 78, Hyderabad, and will be on view until 17 June)