A Japan memory

It’s a milestone in the career of John Devaraj. The artist’s painting 100 million crucifixions, a 24 feet by 7feet acrylic on canvas painting, has been accepted as a gift by Osaka Peace Foundation, Japan. This is the second such work of the artist to make it to the country, the first being an oil painting Shiroi Hana which lies in Hiroshima Peace Museum.

Says Devaraj, “The kempo kyujo of the Japanese Constitution  and the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi inspired me to make this  painting. Both preach peace. Something that is essential today. Consider this. There are 30,000 nuclear weapons in the world, 80 each in India and Pakistan and yet there are 25 countries without armies.” The painting will be handed over in a ceremony, in Japan, on June 2. The painting attempts to throw light on the disastrous effects of war. It also depicts Sadako Sasaki, a much-profiled victim of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.

“I have tried to be a mirror to society like Tolstoy was of the Russian society,” says Devaraj, “We live in times that are very hypocritical. We worry about the safety of our own children, but we allow other children to die. Through my painting, I have attempted to be the voice of this multitude of children.” The art piece was on display at the Contemporary Sculpture Park, Ravindra Kalakshetra for Bangaloreans to have a dekko. The exhibition featured sculptures, dances and poetry recitations.