Vinita Dasgupta
Artists Statement
I grew up in an environment of music, art, books, photography and various cultural activities. My father was a classical singer and a musician and my mother was an artist. I always had a deep interest in art and took it professionally later.
My works originates from figure painting tradition and folk culture of India. Such style has been a signature of my art. But as I live in an era filled with various images of different artistic currents and popular culture, my artworks cannot be considered as an authentic inheritance from the old tradition. They should be seen as contemporary representations. When I started working in this particular style, I was optimistic about the prospect of transforming traditional art form into
modern style. The reason for choosing such a technique was clear and rational. First, it was the meticulous process of its execution that suited my personality and working style. Secondly, as this style is considered a new media, it leaves much room for exploration and development.
Within the space of a square frame, I try to build a world that is undeniably separate from the one we live in. What fascinates me about any artistic medium is that it can pull the viewer out of a logic and common world, and place them within a space that is more alive. I am not in love with any particular medium of art as much as I am in love with visually representing the stories I have in my mind. There is a particular feeling to all of my artworks, one that touches on the juxtaposition of the real yet surreal, a fantasy and a dream yet riddled with reality
As a painter, I find inspiration in fragments of nature held close for reflection. My work varies from representational to abstract, and I am continuously moving along the continuum between the two. I am using found plant material and the availability changes with the seasons. Moving from stencils of plants, to actual plants used as stencils, I am exploring the dialogue between photography and painting, despite the fact that I am not using a camera. I use coke cans against canvas rolls to create a contrast.
No matter how many paintings I have completed, every painting is still an experiment to me. I don’t want to know how my painting will end. I want the surprise of finding the end, sometimes quite by accident. My process is experimental and I do not have any preconceived notion of what the outcome of my exploration will be. I am engaging in this style to see what is possible and I am curious to discover what will happen. Numerous canvas rolls are painted and printed and then cut and pasted on a board to create an image and finally paint is applied to give layers to the artwork. A blend of tactile working which requires more than two months fosters almost organic growth.
I try to reach beyond myself by creating a mental challenge to combine materials that are unlikely to be combined, colors that are unlikely to go well, and spatial arrangements that are surprising and then turn these unlikely components into a finished piece of art that is satisfying to both the artist and ultimately, the viewer. I generally do my paintings in a series of 4- 12 or more canvases in a particular vein before moving on to another challenge.
As an artist, I am essentially interested in creating works that call for the participation of the audience to the same extend as my involvement in it.
It’s a piece of who I am……….
