Priyanka Gupta, kolkata
Member Since March 2008
Artist Statement An artist's life and images are often responses to some pressing cultural and historical needs of the time one lives in and the artistic motivation drives the mind into a journey of discovery, exploration and learning. I come from Kolkata, India, also called the 'City of Joy' for its people and the passion with which they lead their lives. This passion has undoubtedly found its way into my own conception and expression of the colors of life through my art.
Although I did not have any formal training in Art at the undergraduate level, I have been an avid painter on my own for quite some time. I practiced in Kolkata under the guidance of Wasim Kapoor and Partha Bhattacharjee where I had the opportunity to observe these gifted artists put together their thoughts on canvas in as natural a fashion as can be. The most important principle imbibed into me right then was that freedom of style and expression is the sincerest form of training in art. That art which emerges from the innermost depths of our human faculties of emotion is vastly satisfying for the artist. My art at that time emerged as being gestural and bent towards expressing both an inner spiritual truth that lies beyond the immediate nature of the visual world, and the emotive, psychological and mystical appeal of pure color.
I enjoyed quite a bit of success as an amateur artist - my solo exhibition at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata, 2004 was widely appreciated by leading art critics like Samir Dasgupta. I have also had the opportunity to showcase my works at a few charitable exhibition auctions by Concern India Foundation and international exhibitions like Visual Aid, the Lab and Works/San Jose, which have been very encouraging. I recently graduated from San Francisco Art Institute completing the Post Baccalaureate program where my style matured and found a solid ground for expression.
Through my works, I attempt to bridge the cultural gaps between the eastern and western worlds that I inhabit and express the subtle strength of women and explore feminism and spirituality in the context of Indian society.
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