About Babu Xavier
Babu Xavier, born in 1960 and based in Trivandrum, Kerala, is a contemporary artist known for his vibrant and surreal paintings. His artworks are filled with vivid colors like reds, blues, greens, and yellows, and often feature imaginative creatures that are nearly human. His work, created mostly with watercolors, radiates a prism-like brilliance and occasionally carries subtle sexual undertones. Xavier’s paintings explore deep and complex themes, such as the coexistence of sexuality and death, making his art thought-provoking and sometimes unsettling.
Babu Xavier didn’t initially plan to become an artist. During school and early college, he struggled with drawing and never imagined pursuing art seriously. His artistic journey began by chance when, one day in university, he discovered his passion for painting while doodling on a newspaper. Despite this newfound interest, Xavier decided not to attend art school, fearing that formal training would limit his creativity. His life changed when he met renowned artist Jayapal Panicker, who became a mentor to him at the Cholamandal Art Colony in Madras. Inspired by Panicker, Xavier left college in his final year to focus entirely on art.
After returning to Kerala, Xavier began selling small, photo-sized paintings to support himself. His breakthrough came when a bank manager on holiday purchased his work and took it to Mumbai, where well-known cartoonist Mario Miranda discovered it. Encouraged by Miranda, Xavier exhibited his paintings at the Pundole Art Gallery in Mumbai, receiving great reviews and financial support from gallery owners. Over the years, he has held 19 solo shows in India and Europe and has participated in prestigious exhibitions such as the International Triennale of Art in New Delhi and the Bharat Bhavan Biennale.
Xavier creates art to express powerful ideas, not to match home décor. He emphasizes that his work is full of contradictions, mixing themes like sexuality with mortality. His paintings are intended to provoke thought, even if they make viewers uncomfortable. A unique feature in his paintings is the inclusion of a small barcode next to his signature, symbolizing the influence of consumerism in modern life. Though his work may not appeal to everyone, Xavier remains dedicated to his artistic vision. He spends his days with family and paints only at night, staying true to his passion for creating art that reflects the complexity of human experience.