Portraying Shades Of Humanity On Bark

Reshma Thomas, Business Head at a Technopark firm, uses bark paintings to bring about a change in the ‘stereotyped’ social outlook of people

- Hema Sreekumar

If you have the creativity in you, use it to communicate to people, nothing should stop you – the message that Reshma Thomas upholds in her life. A passionate artist from Thiruvananthapuram, Reshma feels that her paintings can communicate better than words, thereby bringing about a positive change in society.

The Business Development Head of Ekaart Digital Systems, a Technopark-based company, Reshma says that she sees art in everything and uses it as a medium to bring about a change in the ‘stereotyped’ social outlook of people.

“As an artist, I feel that it is my responsibility to communicate to people and my artworks usually reflect the emotions of the silenced and marginalised sections of society,” she revealed.

Reshma had recently conducted a four-day exhibition of bark paintings – a first-of-its-kind in Kerala, at the Golf Club in Kowdiar. The exhibition titled ‘Secret Metamorphosis – a collection of bark paintings’ showcased the story of transformation in humans, told through a series of 40 bark paintings.

“Bark is a symbol of resilience, strength and adaptability. It teaches you how to stay strong in the face of setbacks in life. An individual becomes strong with life experiences, travel or from any relationship. Barks stand as a testimony to all of this,” says Reshma.

“There is a secret transformation happening in every individual, knowingly or unknowingly. People endorse what is right and discard what is wrong. I wanted to create this consciousness among people, using bark paintings,” notes Reshma.