The author’s take
Kunal Ray, emphasizes that their relationship, built on mutual respect and dialogue, was pivotal to the book’s creation. “When I got stuck in Goa during the second wave of Covid-19, it gave us the time to not only talk about his work but also to conceive the idea of the book,” says Kunal. He also reflects on Subodh’s evolution as an artist, tracing his journey from learning under his father to self-education through museums and global art experiences. “Subodh’s practice has evolved significantly over time, and I wanted the book to capture that growth,” he noted.
Glimpses of Goa’s Histories
Subodh Kerkar will be delivering the lecture, ‘Glimpses of Goa’s Histories’ at Kala Academy, Panjim today, April 5 at 4 pm, which will coincide with the release of his book.
Art on Goa’s history
The inspiration for the book grew from Subodh’s long-standing interest in history. “I’ve been a student of history for more than 20 years, especially Goa’s history. It has unknowingly become a footnote in
many of my works,” Subodh shared. His art often draws upon historical themes, and with thousands of artworks, it is only his works related to Goa that are showcased in the book.
The idea for a book began to take shape during the second wave of the Covid-19 lockdown. “Kunal Ray came to visit me just before the pandemic. When the lockdown happened, he ended up staying with us for three months. During this time, we visited the Museum of Goa every day, and Kunal suggested creating a book,” Subodh explained. The Museum of Goa, where much of his work is displayed, serves as a storytelling platform, with each piece tied to some aspect of Goa’s historical and cultural landscape.