Deft strokes of creativity

Manpriya Singh

In barged the auction houses and the art took a somersault. Sometimes for good, sometimes for worse but mostly for better. Curators came calling, as did art houses. Next thing you know, the passion became a profession and the art, an industry. “Art traffic is what I like to call it and that has definitely increased over the years,” Kanchan Chander, draws a ‘then-now’ scenario, having spent four decades in the field. In Chandigarh for a workshop, on an invitation by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, the Delhi-based artist, shares her take on the talent that cannot be taught, but can only be honed.

“I told the students to feel free, they can work on any media but they must dabble a little in mix media. The idea was to do a mixed media workshop, open them up and start a chain of thought.” She adds, “As a teacher, I can only hone them. I first saw their works and accordingly asked to draw in elements from their daily lives,” she points to a girl working on a petrol can; yet another student working on a door.

Medium does not ever matter because in art it always remains a vehicle. “It is the concept and thoughts and feelings that matter. They need to be conveyed and choice of medium should only facilitate that.”

Changing times

While seated amidst a bunch of MFA students, she recalls her starting out days but not before drawing a stark comparison. “Today the younger generation is extremely street-smart and also very aggressive. If anybody says to them, tumhari painting main kya hai, they will jump to defend. We would just keep quiet and accept things.” She adds, “There is commercialisation everywhere and that has done both good as well as bad. Unfortunately, the students are all following the trends and not their hearts.”

Acting dream

The first innings with art started with the alterative that could have been. “If I were not an artist, I would be an actor,” she explains the inspiration behind the ever popular Bollywood Hollywood series, comprising the likes of Meena Kumari and Marilyn Monroe. “It all started with Frida Kahlo and Me series and Audrey Hepburn was also among the first few personalities I worked upon.” Followed by the likes of Amrita Shergill and also the actors that made a mark on the silver screen! Is there anyone that makes the cut in present times? “I have worked on Madhuri Dixit. But mostly today they are all clones of each other. Nobody stands out.” It is a few moments before a couple of names cross the mind. “Maybe Vidya Balan and Naseeruddin Shah.” Times can only change the subjects; for stimulation will always finds its way into an artist’s mind. “Right now, I just want to travel and work because I’m a workaholic. Travel also inspires and reflects in your works,” she keeps it at that.

(On till March 27 at Government Museum and Art Gallery—10, Chandigarh) [email protected]