C.F.John

CF John is an artist and social activist based out of Bangalore, who after completing his studies in Philosophy, opted to follow the Gurukul tradition, and had his initiation in art under Jyothi Sahi in Silvepura, Karnataka. Sombre and reflective in tone (often depicting subjects in a meditative state), his art largely uses muted colours, refined textures, clean lines and sophisticated compositions. John is also particularly sensitive in his celebration of the materials he uses in his art, where the material is considered intrinsic to the work, rather than simply used as a means to an end. Responding to social injustices and political struggles, he has often trained his artistic lens onto the negotiations of modern urban life, the plight of underprivileged communities, and the problems with institutional mechanisms of control. “My works are contextual but not topical,” he notes, believing that it is his artist’s sensibility that shows him the oneness of the natural, the human, and the spiritual. Finding his peace amidst nature, he is particularly inspired by people who are close to it. A combination of performance and presentation, art and reality, context and practice – John’s installations and art events have often been produced in collaboration with fellow artists, and communities connected to the forms and spaces that he is involved with. Constantly defying labels and categories, his works allow for the possibility of different journeys of expression and understanding, presenting both challenges and opportunities of interpretation to his viewers.