Vibrancy without Colors

Generally when it comes to visual art, an assortment of numerous colors is considered almost indispensable. But there is a certain immensity to the idea of monochrome painting. The stark contrast has a beauty of its own. Therefore it is no surprise that it's an important component of avant-garde visual art!

I haven't delved into any kind of visual art recently nor am I an expert by any stretch of imagination. Just happened to find a work of mine from 13 years ago lying in my book shelf. Just a school assignment. I must have had many assignments wherein I made paintings splurged with colors. But for some reason, the sheer simplicity of the above, just Black & White grasps immediate focus. Probably didn't hold much value then but now, many years on, the nostalgia compounds the very experience of the painting in terms of the memories it holds!

I guess I was in 6th grade. I was favorably inclined towards the Art Class but nothing out of the ordinary. In my case, it was more of a predisposition to get good marks in every subject rather than a liking for the subject itself. One fine day, our teacher came to the class with... well... no points for guessing... a brilliant monochromatic painting. And we had to reproduce the concept with our own flavors. I was not too happy considering my unfamiliarity with the concept. Hence, I naturally assumed it to be a tedious task ahead.

I was worried it wouldn't turn out good. In any case, it had to be done. We all got to it. We had to finish our paintings by the next day. I would generally finish the work in the class itself. I was considered one of the ideal kids in school, the apple of teacher's eye! But this time was different. I knew I had to put in more effort and I really wanted good marks. It was quite humbling.

That night, I was triggered. I just sat with the black color making those intricate patterns. There wasn't too much of thinking involved. I was like an ox to the field. The following turn of events, is now apparent. I guess I got a 9 or something. It is one of my best pieces of art (the following picture)

Thus, for me, the painting brings forth an experience of duality.

Ranging from the fear of failure to the exhilaration of success!

I have always been fascinated about how our experience of life is primarily governed by the spectrum in between the dual nature of qualities. Planning to pen down my thoughts in that vein soon. Hope you enjoyed the read!