Perhaps time is a construct, but the stretched fabric
of experience gathered over time isn’t. This wave of
sound, sight and memory could well be the most real
thing we as a species have to lean on, bounce off of,
and smile upon.
This reality, or version of one at least, is what
photographer Vivek Mathew pivots off of when
looking through the patina-laced lens of his now-
evolved camera.
Vivek has chronicled the evolution of spaces,
experiences and human interactions from the time
his nimble fingers pressed the ‘click’ button on his
tiny camera as a young boy. But, his journey on a
professional level began two decades ago, and
‘Lyrical Shadows’ is a commemoration of this loyal
and irrepressible hunger for his craft and the truth.
In twenty-four images, Vivek looks to take you into
his world even as you begin to enter your own. It’s
as emblematic of our every day as it is of the artist’s
wonderfully curious mind.
Unshackled by the concept of yesterday, today or
tomorrow, Vivek operates with a refreshing lack of
biases or prejudice while viewing a subject for what
it’s worth. This rather unique trait has always been a
tell-tale of Vivek’s nuanced reading of the slackline
suspended in the grey of human observation. It
wasn’t always as easy to express this, though.
Having grown through the eras of digital cameras,
styles and perceptions, Vivek started from the 6
megapixel camera to a 10 megapixel to a 36
megapixel now where he stands at 45 megapixel of
sheer depth and volume.
He learnt plenty from photography school and
growing under Pallon Daruwala’s wings certainly
helped, but Vivek had to learn himself to become his
art, and that only experience could help him with.
As he wandered the streets of the world with an eye
out for the next moment, he found them in leaves, in
chairs, in faces, in fences, on benches, in eyes, in
unmoving lips, in condensation, and yet while the
chaos of lights always forged the background to
reflect his vision, his art truly stretched itself out
when born in the shadows.
The reason, he says, is because it provides the
drama to accentuate light, features, and perhaps
even the moment itself. By that, Vivek is a
practitioner of the ‘chiaroscuro’ minus the
paintbrush, but you will see that his images do
suspend your understanding of where a photo
begins and where a painting ends.
It’s all in the mind, and Vivek understands how to
bring your pupil to attention. As they stretch and
compress to the visuals during this exhibition take a
moment to understand that these images are not a
product of aesthetic alone. They are a testament to
Vivek’s unrelenting desire to take you on a journey
you might not have even considered.
For him, it’s just another day in paradise with lights
and shadows bouncing to the tune of an unspoken
universe. Time isn’t a factor. His experience is. So,
welcome to his mind.
Vivek Mathew’s tryst with photography began with a simple thought – capturing the brilliance of
a moment. While the world around us has changed beyond recognition, the moments he
captures have become anchors of the timeless. They allow us to look at the world and our lives
through the essence of moments society no longer has the time to pause and reflect on.
Having completed his education at Asia’s top-notch institution – The Light and Life Academy,
Ooty – Vivek has gone on to bring life into Fine Art, Architecture, Travel, Nature,
People,Industrial and Interiors, through his photography.
Considered as one of the “Young and Unusual” photographers of today by India Today
Magazine, he has also been featured in prestigious publications – The Times Journal of
Photography, Time Out, Design Today, Better Interiors, National Geographic Traveller India,
Forbes India, Smart Photography, Bangalore Mag, The Times of India, Femina, Classic Imaging
and Women’s Wear Daily -New York.
Solo Exhibitions
Adding perspective to his works are his exhibitions, which have brought to light several aspects
of daily life.
I.Opener in 2005 at the ‘Renaissance Gallerie’ focused on subjects ranging from still life to
portraits to exteriors, as Waterborne in 2007 at ‘Industree’, experimented with ripples,
reflections and patterns. His third exhibition at ‘Sublime’, UB City in 2011 – Canvas Wall – was
inspired by the rustic and the crude. His fourth exhibition, Perfect Imperfections, in February
2015 at the ‘Art of Delight’ dealt with nature and man-made patterns. His fifth show, Yesterday
Once More, in March 2017 at ‘Venkatappa Art Gallery’ was an array of architectural windows,
chronicling time and stories, from different cities. His 6th solo exhibition Fluid Stillness, Life
between Bangalore’s ripples, at ‘Venkatappa Art Gallery’ in March 2018, celebrated the beauty
of Bangalore’s lakes captured in a myriad of colours. His 7 th solo exhibition, Bygone Vignettes at
‘Venkatappa Art Gallery’ in February 2019 captures Vivek’s intimate relationship with all those
elements that made Bangalore a sought-after British Cantonment. His 8 th solo exhibition “Gaze
Of Silence “ at Reves Art Gallery in February 2024 relates to the poetry in the prosaic
Group Exhibitions
Bangalore Photography Festival – in April 2007 – Leela Galleria, Bangalore
ShootOut at Ranga Shankara – a part of the Theatre Festival at Ranga Shankara in October
2007, Bangalore – Curated by photographer, Pallon Daruwala
Behind the Lens – in February 2009 at Mahua Art Gallery, Bangalore – Curated by Ajay
Rajgarhia
Wide Angle – in October 2009 – Alliance Francaise, Delhi
Streets – in January 2010 at Venkatappa Art Gallery, Bangalore – Curated by Lina Vincent and
Fiza Ishaq
Pressure to Globalize – in April 2011, Page Turners, Bangalore – Curated by Mahesh Bhat
The Festive Spirit – in October 2013 – Galerie De’Arts, Bangalore
Urbanscapes – August 2014, at 1 MG Road Mall by Galerie De Arts – Curated by Deepa
Subramanian and Franck Barthelemy
The Many Faces of India – February 2015, at 1 MG Road Mall by Galerie De Arts, Bangalore
Photo Exhibition Fundraiser- April 2015, at Art Of Delight by Aarogya Seva
Whitefield Art Collective – February 2016, at VR Bengaluru by Art Chutney
Small and Beautiful – December 2016, at Art Houz, Bangalore
Happiness For Sale – December 2016, at Galerie De Arts, Bangalore
Pivotal 2017 Highlights – February 2018 at Gallery Manora, Bangalore
Kala For Vidya – January 2019 at Taj West End/RMZ EcoWorld by Rotary Club of Bangalore
and The Art Loka
Waning – October 2019 at Gallery Manora – Curated by Gomathi Suresh
His works are also currently on display at:
Crimson Art Gallery, Bangalore
Wonderwall, Delhi
iArt Gallery, Bangalore
Books
He has also contributed to three coffee table books – The Laidlaw Memorial High School,
Ketti, Nilgris, for their 100 years, Innovate Bengaluru and Best of Bangalore Vol .2
Innovation Edition.
Vivek is part of a book ‘108 Portraits of Indian Photography’ by Dr Alka Pande and
“KONA” published by Shriti Khandewal
Commercial Projects
Vivek’s unique eye has been a part of several commercial projects and ad campaigns, the most
prominent one being that of Bangalore Traffic Police’s “Don’t Drink and Drive” initiative. Manipal
Education, First Flight, Lenovo, Volvo, The Leela Hotel, Home Solutions, Shell, Vimal, Bosch,
Thought Works, Nikon, Wrigleys, Tata Global Beverages, Ubuntu, Indus Strong Steel, Minster,
Thann, Ceebros, VR Bengaluru, Aranyani, Chancery Hotel, Seco Tools, Sterling Developers,
Jayalakshmi Group, Thomas Associates, RSP Architects, RBD Shelters, Soul Space, Raja
Builders and Belmonte.
He has several years of experience working with the best creative minds in India’s sought-after
advertising agencies including Ogilvy & Mather, Contract Advertising, Grey Worldwide, Temple
Advertising, Happy Creatives, Idiom Design, Saatchi & Saatchi, Stirred Creative, Creative
Network, Exit Design, A+ A Communications- Sweden and Ramms India.
