Brian Varghese Pradeep, Kerala artist with autism, creates paintings rich with colour & splendour

26-year-old Brian Varghese Pradeep from Kochi was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. His mother Anita Pradeep introduced him to the world of colours and art at a young age itself. Brian has exhibited his works at many prominent exhibitions across India. This youngster hopes to make his mark in the art world very soon.

Art is more than a hobby for Kochi artist Brian Varghese Pradeep. It is a passion he retains from childhood. Now this 26-year-old’s works are getting noticed by a bigger audience.

Brian was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Mother Anita Pradeep made sure her son got to do things that he loved. She soon realised Brian’s true calling was art. Brian has showcased his work at prominent exhibitions across India.

Therapy becomes a passion

Brian’s childhood was mostly spent with colours and drawings which he loved doing. He was introduced to art as a form of therapy to calm him down. Anita soon realised that Brian loved spending time in the world of art.

I used to give him activities to do. But art was something that he loved doing always. I did not recognise that he was so passionate about it until sometime recently. Though Brian studied in a mainstream school, we shifted him later to a special school from where he could spend more time with art. In classes 10 and 12, he opted for painting, a decision that I am glad about. – Anita Pradeep.

Brian has not received any formal training. He has been blessed to find supportive and inspiring teachers like Ashil Antony. “Brian loves drawing figures and things that we see in our daily lives. He started off with colour pencils and crayons”, says Anita.

Prominent exhibitions

Brian’s works have been showcased at prominent exhibitions like Kochi Muziris-Biennale’s Outsider Art. This wasone of his first exhibitions. Muziris Biennale founder Bose Krishnamachari selected Brian’s paintings for the event. Brian later went on to showcase his paintings at e-CAPA 2019 in Delhi. He was one amongst the eight artists to be selected for the India Inclusion Summit. Brian’s works are also displayed on Lulu Mall’s Facebook page.

“It is important to identify your child’s strength and know what makes them happy. Show them they are capable of doing things and support them throughout their journey. Explore the many possibilities and encourage them to chase their passion”, says Anita.

Ajai Vadakkath, c-founder of Outsider Art says, “Brian’s works at the show were still life paintings and could be instantly related with their vibrant colours and composition. His application of paint and the freeness he showed even when painting something as tight as still life images was endearing and stood out. Brian is a multi-talented young man whose fabulous parents have encouraged him to grow 360 degrees. My wife Priti who is also an artist and I wish that the success he earned reinforces his conviction in himself and propels him to further explore his boundaries in art space”.