Born in 1977 in Alaveddy, a village in the Jaffna district of Sri Lanka, VP Vasuhan’s artistry is rooted in a childhood surrounded by traditional Tamil culture and crafts. The region, closely linked with South India in language, religion, and folk arts, provided fertile ground for his creative growth. Raised by his grandfather, a farmer, Vasuhan spent his early years immersed in religious painting, embroidery, pottery, and kolam—a Tamil art form that uses rice flour to create intricate designs.
These early experiences shaped his artistic vision, seen in works like Tha-Varam, an exhibition inspired by nature, held in Kagoshima, Japan. His encounters with ancient sculptures at the Museum of History in Tokyo later sparked his exploration of masks in earthy tones and collage, practices he continues today. Vasuhan’s childhood memories also inspire projects like Vill-Age, a series and a painting performance produced in Paris in 2023. His education at Mahajana College in Thellippalai, under the mentorship of his first drawing teacher, Mr. S. Thiagarajah, reinforced his deep connection to art.
In his exhibition We Are Family at Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe, VP Vasuhan delves into the universal theme of human connection. For Vasuhan, family life is the essence of human culture, transcending barriers of language, race, and geography. This body of work highlights the shared bond of humanity, expressed through earthy materials and tones that connect directly to the natural world and the shared experiences of his ancestors.
The paintings and mixed-media pieces in this exhibition are built from materials Vasuhan collected during his travels—clay, stone, wood, seashells, and pigments. These elements, chosen for their organic qualities, align perfectly with the exhibition’s theme. Earthy colors dominate the works, reflecting the universality of human existence across climates, soil types, and geographies.
The central idea of We Are Family is a reminder that human differences—skin color, habits, languages—are superficial. Beneath these variations lies a shared ancestry, a bond Vasuhan sees as crucial to preserving humanity. In his words, “It is our duty to raise the next generation by uniting as one family without conflict or difference.”
Each painting in the exhibition tells a story of relationships—families, friendships, shared feelings, and conversations. These visual narratives bypass the limitations of language, using color and texture to convey universal emotions. For Vasuhan, art is more than self-expression; it’s a way to heal hidden or denied stories, a medicine for both artist and viewer.
Central to the exhibition is Catamaran 404—an installation that brings the Tamil Kattumaram into focus. This traditional raft, constructed from wood and knots, becomes a powerful metaphor for connection, resilience, and migration. Exhibited on Guadalupe Island, the catamaran installation gains added significance as a storyteller of shared histories, particularly those of ancestors who navigated the waters around the island.
The location of this installation—on the coast—enhances its impact. It acts as a bridge between past and present, tying the lives of ancestors to contemporary experiences of migration and identity. Vasuhan notes that Kattumaram is a tribute to grandmothers and grandfathers whose stories often remain untold. Displaying it here completes a cycle of memory, offering a platform to honor the past while fostering dialogue about the present.
The materials Vasuhan uses—earthy and tactile—are integral to the works’ emotional resonance. Clay, stone, seashells, and pigments evoke the rawness of human connection to nature and tradition. These textures create a tangible link to the past, grounding the abstract themes of family and unity in physical, familiar forms.
The earthy palette is not just an aesthetic choice but a deliberate effort to evoke a sense of nostalgia and timelessness. It ties together the works, reinforcing the idea that humanity is one family, regardless of external differences.
A Space for Dialogue
Vasuhan sees exhibitions like We Are Family as more than artistic showcases; they are spaces for dialogue and connection. He emphasizes the importance of discussion in strengthening the themes of the exhibition. A special event accompanying the show invites visitors to share their own feelings and stories, fostering a sense of collective understanding.
For Vasuhan, the act of creating and sharing art is rooted in love—love for humanity, nature, and the stories that bind us together. His hope is that viewers leave the exhibition not only moved but inspired to see their role in the human family.
Art as a Unifier
Through We Are Family, VP Vasuhan reminds us that art transcends language, offering a universal medium to explore and celebrate our shared humanity. From the catamaran installation to the earthy, tactile materials, his works speak to a deep understanding of connection and resilience.
By drawing on his Tamil roots and global experiences, Vasuhan creates art that is both personal and universal. His work calls us to remember our common bonds, honor our ancestors, and nurture a future where unity prevails. As Vasuhan says, “Let’s love art”—because in loving art, we love each other.
