Matter of Perspective : And Other Essays

These insightful essays explore how the intersection of artistic and scientific pursuits shapes creative processes.

In this collection of essays by one of India’s most celebrated artists, K. G. Subramanyan explores many questions that have shaped his art and his process. Among the ideas that shape this collection are such questions as how does the artist’s eye manipulate her view of the world?; was a visual defect responsible for the birth of impressionism?; what is the grammar of the art language?; how can rasa theory help explain the aesthetic experience of visual art?; and what drives artistic and scientific pursuits, and how do aesthetic experiences shape the creative process in both domains?

In A Matter of Perspective and Other Essays, Subramanyan answers these questions with his trademark candor, lucidity, and wisdom, shedding new light on his work and creative philosophy.

K. G. Subramanyan (1924–2016) was one of India’s most respected artists. He worked with diverse media and materials, exhibiting extensively both within and outside the country. He was part of the arts faculty at M. S. University, Baroda, and was professor emeritus at the Kala Bhavan Center at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, India. In 2012, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, for his outstanding contribution to the arts. His other books include Moving Focus: Essays on Indian Art and Living Tradition: Perspectives on Modern Indian Art, both also published by Seagull Books.