Appupen’s Art Of Halahala Now Showing At A Gallery

The “war” piece, as Legends Of Halahala graphic novelist George Mathen calls it, is one of the many dramatic turning points in Mathen’s brilliant second novel. On paper, it compares to a club gig ”“ intimate, powerful and contained. On the wall, it makes for a full-blown arena rocker. Over 30 original artworks from the silent graphic novel in pen, watercolor and charcoal on paper are up for display at Bengaluru’s Five Forty Five until June 7.  “The images are some of my favorites from the book,” says Mathen, “They are the ones I’ve spent more time on and show a variety of styles, I would like to think.”

Titled ”˜Art of Halahala,’ the exhibition is Mathen’s attempt to make a distinction between comics and graphic novels. “The fact that these artworks and prints are being shown in galleries may bring about art consciousness since there is a problem of perception as far as comics are concerned,” says Mathen, who has previously shown his  work at the country’s first biennale in Cochin last year. Unfortunately for him, the space where his art was exhibited at the Kochi Muziris Biennale was an office room, which was often kept locked, tucked away in the corner of the main display area. “It was funny. My mum, who attended the biennale, was told that the room was being used to keep a laptop under lock and key.” Mathen hopes that ”˜Art of Halahala’ will also encourage visitors to pick up his graphic novel. “It is publicity for the book since not many know what a silent novel is and I’d like them to see the process behind it. I spent two years on it.”

One of the pieces that the artist readied specially for the show is a collection of totems. “The totem starts on the cover of the book and also at the beginning of each of the stories in the book. The one that you see in the gallery is four totems connected together,” says Mathen. Besides original artworks, prints of various pages from the silent novel will also be available on sale at the exhibition. Exhibitions such as these, says Mathen, are the way to take the gig on the road with your merch. Spoken like the musician that he is. The former psychedelic prog rock band, Lounge Piranha’s drummer is well aware that a music release needs more than just a gig or two to be heard. Hopefully, ”˜Art of Halahala’ is the beginning of a very successful tour. 

Art of Halahala will be on display at Five Forty Five, Bengaluru.  Timings 11.30 am-6.30 pm. Until June 7.

Legends of Halahala is available on Harper Collins. Buy here  

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