Canvas of memories: Art gallery dedicated to child artist Clint to be opened March 12

Kochi: The legacy of child prodigy Edmund Thomas Clint, who is known to have drawn over 25,000 paintings during his life of less than seven years, will get a permanent home with the inauguration of Clint Art Gallery at GCDA shopping complex at Gandhi Nagar in Kochi on March 12.

Industries minister P Rajeeve will inaugurate the gallery at 10.30am and Clint's mother Chinnamma Joseph will be the guest of honour. The event, presided over by GCDA chairman K Chandran Pillai, will see a gathering of dignitaries including mayor V K Minimol, Hibi Eden, MP, and several MLAs.

Born on May 19, 1976, in Ernakulam as the only son of late M T Joseph and Chinnamma, Clint lived for only 2,522 days, but left behind a legacy of 25,000 paintings. For four decades, the dream of a dedicated space to preserve Clint's genius remained unfulfilled. While books and documentaries kept his memory alive, Kochi lacked a physical monument to its famous young artist.

"We've transformed a 3,000sq ft space into a vibrant cultural hub. The interior features 101 curated works, a selection of Clint's finest pieces displayed on custom-designed partition walls," said GCDA secretary Joby John.

Descriptions and anecdotes by Chinnamma provide context to the paintings, making the experience immersive for children and adults alike. The gallery will feature rare photographs of Clint's childhood and family.

The facility also includes a mini theatre for screening documentaries and short films about Clint's life. It will have creative spaces dedicated to children's painting and learning, with a boutique library planned in near future, a cafe and other modern facilities.

"Though he lived for only seven years, Clint's ability to capture the world's complexity at such a tender age remains a marvel. The aim is to establish the Clint Art Gallery as a premier destination for children within the city. The space is envisioned as the finest tribute to Clint, who passionately loved reading and listening to stories. Furthermore, GCDA will provide facilities to organize exhibitions, creating a platform to showcase the creative works of budding young talents," John added.