The Star, 25 August 2008
Paintings that tell a story
by Priya Menon

ARTS, politics, religion and love are all combined in one unique art exhibition.
Conditional Love by Anurendra Jegadeva at the Wei Ling Gallery is an interesting exhibition that strongly portrays what he believes in.
“We paint what we know, especially issues that affect us as a person in the community,” said Anurendra.

Painting what he knows: Known to the artistic world as a narrative and figurative painter, Anu tells a story in each of his paintings.

Painting what he knows: Known to the artistic world as a narrative and figurative painter, Anu tells a story in each of his paintings.

Known to the artistic world as a narrative and figurative painter, Anu, as he likes to be known, tells a story in each of his paintings.
This unique technique makes for interesting pieces of art that can be viewed as historical renditions in the future.
His paintings have depth and emotions woven in with colours that make the viewer take a step back and look at the painting in awe.
One such example is his series called Letters from Home. It is about men, whose status in a relationship differs from one to the next – a father, a son, and so on – receiving letters from loved ones. Some may be of the opinion that the men are migrants far from home, while others might think they are imprisoned men who crave for their families and friends.
“People are free to interpret the pieces in whatever way they want; it is up to the individual,” Anu said.

Venturing into the realm of religion: ‘For the Love of God I, II, III’ show people of different religions fighting for what they believe in.

Venturing into the realm of religion: ‘For the Love of God I, II, III’ show people of different religions fighting for what they believe in.

“The idea is about being far from home, being away from their families,” he added.
Women in the political scene are not uncommon in his art. The piece Unconditional Love has Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail looking at a Federal Reserve Unit personnel, her eyes speaking volumes of a deeper fear and anguish within.
Religions of the world are a subject that Anu boldly ventures into, with works that stress the faith mankind has in God.
Symbols, priests, monks and devotees showing a rare reverence share a platform with other subjects in his paintings.

Interpret it as you will: The series Letters from Home is about men whose status in a relationship differs from one case to the next, receiving letters from loved ones.

Interpret it as you will: The series Letters from Home is about men whose status in a relationship differs from one case to the next, receiving letters from loved ones.

“Each idea has to rely on another to work — that is the integral story,” Anu said.
Anu uses several mediums to execute his paintings; some are done with oil on canvas, others use mixed media and some use acrylic.
Yet, each art piece has one underlying theme — love. The painting that best symbolises this theme, many noted at the launch of the exhibition, is a painting of his parents.
Entitled Compromise, it depicts the love between his parents that is born of compromise over the years, which is typical of the Indian family.
“Compromise plays a large part in our relationships and our community,” he said.

Conditional Love will run until Sept 16 at Wei Ling Gallery, No. 8, Jalan Scott, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. For more information, log on to www.weiling-gallery.com or call 03-2260 11106.