Untitled

Artist: Akkitham  Narayanan
Medium: Oil on Linen
Size: 51 × 38 inches (129.54 × 96.52 cm)
Year: 2013

This large abstract painting by Akkitham Narayanan is a masterful composition that fuses geometric rigor with symbolic depth. Executed in oil on linen, the work is distinguished by its bold architectural structure and richly layered surface, offering a contemplative visual experience that straddles the realms of abstraction, symbolism, and cultural resonance. The canvas is organized into an intricate grid of geometric shapes, primarily squares and triangles, arranged in a rhythmically interlocking pattern. These forms are not merely decorative, they serve as the foundational structure for Narayanan’s exploration of balance, duality, and spiritual symbolism. The color palette is warm and grounded, dominated by rich reds, golds, muted yellows, and dark grayish-blacks. The reds and golds radiate energy and vitality, while the darker tones anchor the composition, creating a dynamic yet harmonious equilibrium.

Textural variation plays a significant role in the painting’s visual impact. Certain segments exhibit thick, impasto brushwork, with raised surfaces that catch and reflect light, adding physicality to the image. In contrast, other areas are smoothly polished, allowing color and form to take precedence. Within the geometric sections, subtle forms emerge, stylized suggestions of clouds, mountains, or elemental landscapes, infusing the work with a quiet symbolism that alludes to natural and spiritual realms. An especially distinctive feature is the presence of hand-lettered or drawn script integrated within the geometry. These marks, possibly evoking calligraphy or ancient script, introduce a layer of meditative contemplation. They suggest a language beyond the literal, one rooted in rhythm, form, and cultural memory. This incorporation of script transforms the painting into a palimpsest of thought and form, where geometry meets poetics.

Narayanan’s artistic practice often draws upon Indian philosophical and visual traditions, reinterpreted through a modernist lens. In this work, the precise geometry recalls temple architecture or yantras, while the color fields and gestural textures evoke emotional and spiritual resonance. The result is a composition that transcends formal abstraction, inviting viewers to engage not just visually, but emotionally and intellectually. This painting stands as a testament to Narayanan’s ability to blend formal discipline with intuitive depth. Through geometric abstraction enriched by texture, symbol, and subtle narrative, he constructs a visual language that is both personal and universal, rooted in tradition, yet unbound by time.