Life on wheels lead to places unexplored and enchanted. Last years trip taken on 1983 Royal Enfield took me to Western Ghats. Certainly one mesmerising stop in Zendo of Kodaikannal. So is also true to the journey, that you meet unusual people with zest of talents. People with visions called artists. This is the story of such encounter.

I met wonderful sculpture Charles Zanon from Burgundy who is  living and working on his art in the Auroville, Tamil Nadu. Although I am yet to visit Auroville as invited by many friends including Charles; it was on a trek to the Elephant’s valley in Kodiakanal where I got know about Charles and his work.

The first site of his work remained something melancholy within. An Italian articulation of renaissance decorated with unapologetic French revere for beauty. Like a friendship of aristocracy of Versailles with the Florence. So to speak Charles is a French man with Italian surname. And his origin truly reflects in the intricacy of his work.

The wounds that were once the path of reaching the heaven, are cut open and stand as representation of development. Like there is a revolution to cut something out of magnificent rock of culture and civilisation. His art work is daunting, stunning with an aristocratic flare. It shocks like a modern art with sublimity of renaissance implementation. A modern renaissance, which took a path of revolution; striking the balance in the flow from past to the future. Present.

In the midst of art scene flooded with art work that convey an idea of the subject, Charles sculpture justifies to a statement. A French revolution with the jaded beauty of Italian craftsmanship.  A revolution portrayed in subjects that speak to the crude and raw foundations of Michelangelo's vision of Beauty. A spiritual exploration that question the being and purpose of the existence. A daring attempt to express, not to find the meaning but to understand and acknowledge the beauty around.

Having said so, I have this urge to spend more time with Charles sculpture. He is going to showcase soon in Hyderabad. If not there, I might head towards Auroville next monsoon.

If you are interested in meeting Charles and his work in person, his ongoings can be found on his instagram and Website.