Arunanshu C

What are you working on at present?
My earlier works were mirrors to old memories, which continue to come back to me time and again. Even though time and places may have changed, I still carry the same sentiments about my past and the incidents, which influenced me.

Some years ago, an indirect response to the political scenario began to reflect on my canvas. When I talk about this scenario it also...

What are you working on at present?
My earlier works were mirrors to old memories, which continue to come back to me time and again. Even though time and places may have changed, I still carry the same sentiments about my past and the incidents, which influenced me.

Some years ago, an indirect response to the political scenario began to reflect on my canvas. When I talk about this scenario it also includes the different aspects of society. Anything appears on the canvas because everything is eventually linked to each other in the society where we live.

My present work is focused on the new generation. This present generation, so used to getting too much - too soon, influenced by the present electronic age is reflected in my work. Funky motifs, new cartoon images, the latest board games and popular movie stars, all these reflect the urban influences of the new generation have become a part of my work. My recent paintings also comment on the race against time, old versus new, tradition versus style. By juxtaposing several images, creating movement and a haze of memories, I have tried to animate the jumble of life, the fast pace and imposition of material things in my recent work.

What are your predominant concerns as an artist and an individual?
The concerns of the artist and the person in me are the same. Painting and an artist’s nature are one and cannot be ifferentiated. Current political issues have impressions that last a long time and my work often comment and mock the urban frivolous society. The common need to belong, to be included and approved, set desires and wants that are influenced by social pressures which we pass on to the next generation are my concerns.

Does your work necessarily have to have a message?
All of my works do have a message just as each media does, be it television or art. This is a subject that I wish to address. Painting has a lot in it, the artist’s past and present. Though my works do hold a message, they more so portray what I feel. Apart from this, art is also for the sake of the pleasure of creation.

Do you feel compelled to address social issues?
Not at all. There are some artists who one could call serious artists and they do not find it necessary to do this. There are other concerns apart from social ones. In my paintings, in addition to the main theme, I also use several metaphors, which do have reason and significance in relation to the main thought behind my work.

What is your single most concern when it comes to your work?
When I work I only wish for the viewer to be introduced to what I am doing and why I am doing it. I would like to give just a direction to the viewer, though I don’t want him to think exactly in the manner that I do. If I am able to lead the viewer to think and feel beyond the images that have drawn, then I feel the painting is a success.

Elaborate on the thought process that ignites the beginning of a painting.
For my canvases, I haves always taken reference from the print media, presenting current political issues and mocking the urban society.

The idea for a painting comes from anywhere, T.V., or even a small incident that may have occurred. I may begin with a small theme and then relate other ideas and incorporate them in the painting. However the composition may not always be drawn from those ideas although they may be the starting point. Nothing is planned. My canvas is my sketchbook. The same goes with the various media, which find its way on to the canvas. I may begin with watercolors and use acrylic and then decide to do oils over the acrylic. There is a thought to the durability of a painting when choosing the media though.

Both, large and small canvases appeal to me. Time becomes the deciding factor for choosing the size of my painting. To express a thought immediately, I prefer a small surface, where I can keep the idea intact. But presently I am doing large works.

You often repaint a work over and over again, creating new surfaces and images till you feel the work is satisfactory.
While painting I do achieve what I want, mostly. But, often I am not pleased visually and then I continue to redo or repaint till I am satisfied.

You immortalize the image.
My work is figurative. This means apart from the human form I also use figures like birds and often objects from still life. And nonliving objects, for example, a gramophone could stand to symbolise an old man.

Whose work inspires you?
Any painter who is sensitive to the world around him. I also feel that often women artists are more sensitive, like Nalini Malini. I regard the work of Atul and Anju Dodiya, Navjot, Nilima Sheikh very inspiring and influential. And Bhupen Khakkar, most definitely.

How do you think the art scene has changed since you were a student?
The last 10 years has seen immense change. Art has scaled new heights with the increase in appreciation among the people. It is important for an artist and art that the layperson becomes aware. Though a lot more needs to be done to publicize art and make it accessible, we are on the right track.

What do you feel is the relative difference in attitudes towards art in India and internationally?
In India, the awareness is not as fast and wide spread. However, Indian art is not getting the recognition it deserves and among international connoisseurs it seems to be appreciated more for commercial value than aesthetic. Shows of individual Indian artists abroad are not enough to portray the broad spectrum of contemporary Indian art.

Do you feel there is a generation gap between the elder and younger artists?
Earlier there was but since the last few years the gap, I feel, has reduced. Artists of all age groups have begun to show together. Though the elder and younger generation artists do have a place of their own, they have all begun to move with changing times. Just as people in any field need to progress with time.

Where do you see your self in the future?
On and off I do continue changing and experimenting with media and I am now concentrating on large works, which give me more satisfaction. The large surface allows more room for exploring space and experimentation in media.

By Arti Mehta