ARTIST STATEMENT
ARTIST STATEMENT
Hi, I’m Athul.
In certain spaces, I go by FURT.
I’ve been a graphic designer for most of my life. I studied Applied Arts at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath College of Fine Arts (CKP),
Growing up, I wasn’t surrounded by galleries, museums, or much “art” in the traditional sense.
Even before I had the vocabulary for it, I was drawn to the structure of things. I’ve always had a deep interest in how compositions work how balance, tension, and space make something feel just right. At the same time, I’ve always found beauty in imperfections. That duality continues to guide my work.
As a designer, I’m drawn to repetition, clean lines, and a sense of resolution. Those things still show up in what I make. But somewhere along my design journey, I stumbled into illustration. That’s when I began exploring something more personal.
It wasn’t just about finding a style. It was about finding a language, an extension of myself.
Now, I’m at a point where I just can’t stop creating. I make things with whatever I can find around me. It’s not always polished or planned, but it’s always honest. That’s what makes this first solo exhibition so meaningful. Coming back to CKP, the place where it all started, feels like the right place for this next chapter.
ABOUT THE WORK
My work is built around characters - fragmented bodies, expressive faces, and raw gestures that capture a wide range of emotions. You’ll see them smiling, crying, resting, getting angry, or simply staring into space. There’s something theatrical about them, yet they’re grounded in something deeply human.
One recurring figure in my work is a housefly I call Mute. Mute can’t speak or hear. Its name says it all. It’s quiet, unnoticed, but always present. Over time, Mute has become a kind of anchor in my visual world, showing up again and again like a silent witness.
I’ve been developing this universe of characters and emotions for over five years now. What began as childhood sketches has grown into something much more personal. A visual language that feels like an extension of myself. It’s not just about style anymore. It’s about storytelling, identity, and presence.
Visually, my work is bold. I grew up around color. Loud, saturated tones that demand attention. That energy still lives in what I create. I see the world in structures and silhouettes. Even now, my background in graphic design shapes how I build my compositions. A strong silhouette, to me, can say more than any amount of detail.
My artwork is made to be felt, not decoded.
You don’t need to “get it.”
You just need to experience it.
Some people see sadness in the work. Some feel calm. Some laugh. That kind of ambiguity matters to me. I don’t include captions or explanations beside my pieces because I want people to bring their own meaning into the experience. That openness invites connection. That’s what I care about. Not spectacle, but intimacy.
In the end, it’s not about making noise.
It’s about creating a moment.
Something honest.
Something that lingers.