Works that capture the conflict between the Materialistic and Metaphysical

A strong philosophical bent is at the core of this talented artist’s thought-provoking work that acts as a sharp commentary on the product driven and consumption oriented modern urban life in which the quest for luxury knows no bounds. In order to resolve the mystery of ‘who I am’, a sensitive mind must first dissect one's own self to discover the true essence that stays constant and won’t change with passage of time, he believes.

One of the highly promising and talented artists from the young generation of Indian contemporaries, Suryakant Lokhande often focuses on the conflict between the Materialistic and Metaphysical. Delving deeper into the inner recesses of self and society, his work often comprises the complex process of conscious liberation of the subjects from ubiquitous properties they are invariably associated with; it essentially means simultaneously imparting them with new characteristics, imparting a new meaning to them.

Among the objects that he frequently uses for the purpose can be anything from faded family portraits, self-portraits, metal objects and panels to old books, text, automobile paints, toys, and even cartoon characters. An elaborate review of his work by P.Martin points out how his artistic vision, efforts and inputs tend to alter the image from its fantastic lifeblood and its libidinal power, its exciting colors and scenes of collective drama, devolving and dissolving the same to a deeper, more disturbing image of uncertainty.

The critic-writer has mentioned: “His paintings are feverish; they flout economic laws and are the ‘gratuitous’ energy that defy boundaries. In them, the continuity is tied to the incessant motion of the line, which runs without caesuras, following its flow of awareness and fancy, developing bends and folds, lending weight and concreteness to labyrinthal conflicts with its penetration and coupling, filling all gaps, joining and uniting all bodies.”

In essence, the sensitive artist strives to maintain an acute awareness of the broad context in which art should be created and presented.