Mary Samual's 'Unbound' Brings Magical Realism to Life in Thiruvananthapuram
Mary Samual's debut exhibition 'Unbound' showcases 25 paintings inspired by Jayakrishnan's magical realist graphic novel, on display in Thiruvananthapuram until September 23.
A debut exhibition in Thiruvananthapuram is exploring the interplay between the magical, the mortal, and the natural world through the work of Mumbai-based artist Mary Samual. Titled 'Unbound', the show brings together 25 paintings currently on view at the Alliance Française de Trivandrum in Vazhuthacaud.
The works draw their inspiration from Chithrakathayil Avante Bhoothangal, a magical realist graphic novel by artist-writer Jayakrishnan. Curated by filmmaker K.P. Sreekrishnan, the exhibition traces an artistic journey that began almost by accident.
Ms. Samual, a language professional at an IT firm, said she was introduced to art only during the pandemic. She took classes for three years while figuring out her own identity as an artist. It was a friend who suggested the novel to her, and a scene from the book prompted her to paint. One such work depicts a character crossing a turbulent sea on a boat made of roots.
That painting caught Mr. Jayakrishnan's attention, and he approached her to illustrate a particular passage in the text that he had been unable to depict himself. She completed the assignment and produced nearly six paintings in all, which were meant to be shown at the novel's release event in 2024. Personal reasons kept her from taking part in that programme.
She continued to create other works inspired by the novel, completing 25 pieces by September last year. The two even planned an exhibition together, but that too did not materialise.
Executed in acrylic and watercolour, the paintings are accompanied by passages from the Malayalam novel along with their English translations, creating an intermittent dialogue between text and image. Shadows, flowers, rough waters, and an ongoing conversation between the living and the metaphysical recur as motifs throughout the showcase.
Ms. Samual described the works as her independent interpretation of the novel. She noted that the text does not follow a linear narrative structure, which allows readers to arrive at their own readings. She added that Mr. Jayakrishnan's artistic background makes the book visually rich and inspires further creative work.
'Unbound' is on at Alliance Française de Trivandrum, Vazhuthacaud, until September 23, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.