Collection: Vandana Kumari

Currently, my main artistic concern revolves around social causes - an intense dive into contemporary scenario of current happenings with the juxtaposition of the human condition like issues of violence, socio- economic disparity, human suffering, harassment, various gender issues and social inequalities, political mobilization, violence triggers, riots and crass materialism.

My work features society, people around me and my experience to them. Strong Drawing with black is about archiving the reality of the present scenario we live in. This leads me to address the immediate surrounding that could lead to a worldview with a grounded perspective. To me painting is a synthesis of my feelings and observing struggles, reactions and inspirations to explore the underpinnings of human psyche. My current practice explores personal narratives, psychological processing of everyday socio-political issues and occurrences, people's reactions, and their daily life struggles with the circumstances they live in. I’m a keen and sensitive observer and document the cathartic escapades as observation and experience, and create works that are reflective of and characterize contemporary society. Using the narrative potential of figurative painting, I challenge the viewers and confront them with their innermost feelings. My human figures are a subjective portrait of human psyche that reveals something about the subject, but they are open to many interpretations as they are enigmatic most of the time.

I like to paint with acrylics, so that I can play with colours with multiple layers to get the desired effect. I initially start with a more colourful application but as the composition develops the whole painting turns more monochromatic with greys and blues. My canvases are never planned through sketches or preparatory drawings. The composition on each canvas develops spontaneously and I keep working on it till the painting tells me it’s done. Generally, I prefer larger canvases and attack colours with an effective forceful and bold brushstroke which alone is capable of triggering deep inner emotions. Besides that, I do loads of charcoal drawings and ink study on paper.

All these painting I have done till now presents a social message through the use of symbols, codes and metaphors. I prefer to show the trauma and suffering in indirect manner which is capable of engaging the viewer in the work of art. Every symbol has conceptual meaning, a vehicle for my self-expression and reveals mysterious aspects of my creative art journey. This expressive visual language conveys my wishes, sorrow, despair, happiness, anger etc. I have challenged the pre-established social norms and never hesitate to reverse the myth and retail it to comment on society. I have given the message to the audience that old customs and practices are hindrance in the path of progressive vision of mankind. Using Hand Gestures as my foremost element, Indian and western sources and themes are very well executed in order to give social message. The subversive depiction of the female character presents the real picture of contemporary and ordinary woman. Instead of showing them beautiful and seductive, they are highlighted boldly confronting the viewer/ voyeur, often portrayed naked, in spite of being victims. Sometimes they are shown vulnerable, positive and progressive, breaking all senseless shackles of old customs. For the works for further research, I have used the materials and commodity like jute sacks, rice papers, rags, cotton with their connection with social history. My artworks are manifestation of my vision filtered through deep perception and allegorically presented in newer context. My Artworks currently is an exploration for taking forward the conversations that a sudden art begins with social causes. The research is about my Art practice in general, for me it’s a larger blank canvas. It explores the possibilities of what can be done with contemporary Art, if we truly question, look at ourselves as artist and open our minds to the people, space and interaction - what is possible? Can we take the art conversation forward? I’m still striving, facing challenges, seeking my own pathways and dynamism.