Artist Kalki Subramaniam longs to get Coimbatore on its feet in the field of experimental art, and will begin by connecting with local artists through an exhibition that will open its doors tomorrow.

‘Piece by Piece Coimbatore Edition’, will be close to my heart, says Kalki, whose hometown is Pollachi.

“Coimbatore is laid back when it comes to art, and I wish to bring about a change with a focus on experimental art,” said Kalki, who is also a poet and an actor.

“Experimental work in art like body canvas, street art and 3D art is catching up fast around the world, and they are being displayed on roof tops and human body,” she said.

Coimbatore is a perfect base for art as it’s culturally rich and diverse, she said.

Youngsters should be introduced to this form of art as it gives a liberated feeling helping them bloom without any restrictions, said the self-made artist.

Pop art is another instance, where art is not confined to just galleries, she said. It’s an art movement that started in the 1960s in New York and portrayed daily life and cultural changes expressed in a myriad of colours, good humour and banter.

“It’s outlandish with many comic elements.”

Kalki wields the brush when she has to, and brings to life human faces and animals in an abstract form.
“My first love is abstract art rendered in acrylic paint on large canvases when capturing human faces and animals, especially horses and elephants,” says the artist, whose three-day exhibition will be held at Art Houz at Jennys Residency.

I painted since I was a child, but started acrylic painting on large canvases only recently, and there was no stopping after that, said Kalki, who also loves to paint cubic art on small and medium canvases using water colours.

“It became a passion and an addiction, to say the least.”

Art is the best form of expression for Kalki, and in her paintings she brings out the essence of love, celebration of life and shelter.

“But as a poet, I give vent to my anger, rejection and revenge,” said Kalki who is a transgender, and has battled society’s double standards for simply being what she is.

“My paintings are real, and I can look into them and find what I want,” she said.

“Rainbow Princess is a painting that I did with actor ‘silk’ Smitha in mind. She is a gorgeous and strong-willed woman.”

The painting, though abstract, has a soul, that is why when I look into the Rainbow Princess, I find its character in it.”

But she said she never thought of exhibiting her work till she met Latha Rajeev, a curator and an art historian.

“She saw my work and I liked it, and it didn’t end there. She called me after a couple of months and said she had booked a gallery and that I should exhibit my work.”

Kalki prepared for the exhibition in 45 days, with her work getting showcased on June 15th at Alliance Française Trivandrum.

“It was a smashing success,” Kalki said.

“My mother is my role model, a strong woman and a perfectionist. I was a priority for her, and she was protective and supportive.”

“She is an example for parents of trans children, who must brush aside the stigma to embrace and not reject them. Then no one will see a transgender begging on the streets.”

Kalki has starred in the 2011 Tamil drama film Narthagi written and directed by Vijayapadma. “The opportunity to act in a film came on a golden platter for me,” she said.

The movie, which won many acclaimed awards, will be screened at the Toronto Tamil Sangam film festival in Canada.
“Its success lies in its relevance, even today,” Kalki said.

Kalki has attended a conference as an official guest of the US government’s department of education to share her views on human rights and minorities’ status.

She had taken part in conferences in Thailand and will soon take her art to Germany.

Kalki’s works will be displayed at Art Houz at Jenny’s Residency on Avinashi Road.