Landscaped Canvas

By FinchD

Photography: Courtesy The Purple Ink Studio

Read Time: 2 mins

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Bengaluru’s Gallery G - the foundation office for India’s foremost modern artist, Raja Ravi Varma gets a beautifully landscaped wall fronting its window; courtesy The Purple Ink Studio...

Five metres high, partially covered in lush green foliage and partially textured as a blank canvas, the wall at the entrance of the gallery is conceptualised around the work of the progressive artist, whose paintings were an ideal blend of modern British processes, and traditional Indian motifs. 

Basic preparation of wall

Applying the chape pattern

Diligently replicating the design along the entire wall

Diligently replicating the design along the entire wall

Although built with only two primary materials: concrete and greens, it is aesthetically complemented by locally-sourced bamboo mats called chape. Crafted into alternating patterns of horizontal and vertical divisions, chapes have been diligently worked upon by local artisans to create a stimulating visual arrangement.

 

Sectioning the wall

Setting up the planter inserts

Filling in the plants

Interspersed with nearly 1000 plantations, the wall is animated with a dense cover that softens the hardscape.  Beneath it is a pool lined with plantations, replenished with an intermittent organisation of bamboo water spouts. While the plants largely augment the green cover on site, a cladding of hand- painted, coloured tiles balances the colour scheme and organic character of the space, personalising it.

 

Spouts added for a dynamic visual treat

Border of hand-painted tiles  

Not only do the varying textures and densities on the wall create a sublime landscape design, but also allow the area to be converted into an outdoor exhibition space. With the help of focused down lighters, the expanse of the wall provides a profound backdrop for the display of art. Additionally, the planter floor acts as a dais for three-dimensional art models.

 

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The combination of the concrete, planters and chape, transforms the wall into an experimental three-dimensional geometry; reminiscent of the work of Varma, constituting a vivid narrative of a fusion between the revival of traditional materials, and the celebration of contemporary techniques.