A seasoned artist, Jogi Makhani nevertheless questions his
art’s raison d’être. “Every artist has
his own reasons and destination,” avers this artist who defines his art through
his untitled poetic verse “... the desire to communicate...a manifestation of
emotion and in the end is the result art? Does it have to be art?”
His latest oeuvre of work is a reflection of the title of his debut book of poems, ‘My Journey through trials and tribulations – seeking refuge through verse’. Metaphysical in perspective, his black drawings on handmade paper are deeply influenced by Greek mythology, literature and his actions and reactions to the world he lives in. The latter is derived from his factual observation that ‘although man is part of nature, he is the most destructive force against it and nature in turn retaliates in different ways.” Of the 26 exhibits on display at his friend and fellow-artist Lilia Pinto’s House ‘Sinai’ in Candolim, 20 are drawing inks on handmade paper, two are etchings, four are sculptures on wood, stone and epoxy and of course there is his poetry book which has been a major influence on his two other mediums.
“Every medium has its own limitations,” opines Jogi, conveying his personal interpretation of art. “When I am painting, it’s a two-dimensional plane. If I want to paint something in three dimensions, then it’s better to do it in sculpture, but if I want to paint words then I write poetry,” avers this artiste who indulges in all three mediums to express himself.
Jogi’s relationship with verse began as young as 13, when he wrote in secret. However, his first book on poetry is the cathartic outpouring of his anguish. “I had worked long and hard for an exhibition I was supposed to have in India in 2013, but unfortunately it did not materialise and this led me into depression. In January 2014, I wrote a few verses to express this torment and then could not stop. Of the 26 poems in this book, 25 were written in 2014 itself. In fact 2014 was entirely devoted to writing poetry,” he confesses.
Living and working as an artist in Canada has thrown a perspective of art in both countries for this alumnus of Goa College of Art (1982) and post-graduate at the MS University of Baroda. “In India one sees a lot of original art on walls, whereas in Canada they are mostly prints of the original,” he observes.
Art seems to be a perfect refuge for this artist whose actions and reactions are influenced by the world he lives in.