Interview by Shimeesha Arts β India.
___________________________________________________________________
1.
Can you go back to your earlier days, how did you discover your talent
in art? Tell us about your early artistic influences, and experiences.
When
I did my first drawing of my life, I was not aware that I would be
happy painting for the rest of my life. I had always enjoyed it and got
into it by accident. Long ago - my elder brother use to do a lot of
drawings and I was trying to imitate him. He must be the first person
who influenced me.
2. Why did you decide to pursue art as a career?
I didn't decide to pursue art as a career, it pursued me. Creativity itself is so divine and I felt that this is what I NEEDED.
3.Can
you tell us about your studio practice? Do you follow a routine? Is
your studio practice structured or do you work sporadically? And How do
you support your studio?
I try to do many things. I react for
many subjects. I donβt want to be a painter who has found a style and
dissolve all his life painting it. I explored certain topics and my
practice has been applied according to the subject. In my studio
practice I never have a set plan to execute works. What I understand
comes into my works. Some works are structured and some works happens
once in a while.
It will be better if I say that, my studio supports me, more then I support it.
Q: Have you accepted any other profession? (eg: teaching) If yes, how did that affect or influence your art practice?
No.
4. How would you describe your works, in one word?
βHOPEβ
5. What are the most challenging aspects for you as an artist?
I
believe that whatever I do should not be in the service of destruction,
it should be in the service of creativity and it is challenging.
6.
Lets talk about your artistic practice, What are the preliminary steps
that you take when thinking about a new piece of work? Do you keep a
sketch journal? The importance of drawing in your practice...
I believe that certain images, forms or designs have its strength and softness, which I always experience while working.
The steps which I take is, first the physical involvement, second the emotional involvement and then the intellectual part.
I
just let my creativity to be secondary, happiness and delight while
doing anything is the key. Then whatever is created has some flavor of
it.
I donβt keep sketch books, I Use it.
Drawing is not at all important for me, but some times the study (learning) is more important.
7.
Do you consider yourself a private person as far as creating art is
concerned? Or do you openly seek interaction with others about your
work? In other words, is your studio door closed or open when you are
working?
I think no one is private, and I donβt consider my self
as a private person. Just like this β no birds thinks who are around and
when to sing and when should not. But at some point while working I
reach to some meaning which is entirely a private experience.
Yes I seek interaction with everything, not only a human in particular.
8. Why do you like painting?
Everyone
else is doing video and installation these days... Utilizing digital
photographs and other aspects of technology became a trend within the
context of painting practice.
Painting is a love affair. It has
nothing to do with intellect; it has nothing to do with reason. It is
like falling in love with whatsoever it is. That is why I go with it.
Every
one is doing video and installation these days, and most of it is in
the wrong hands, but that always happens. Whenever something significant
is discovered it always influences quickly. Cameras and equipments had
not become commercially available until 1967. Today it is totally
different. Itβs good to continue the work and to continue working with
technology side by side. Itβs a chance to explore and experiment with
new mediums, anything as a medium which fulfills our requirements to
transform what we feel is fine to accept. But we shouldnβt get lost in
it.
Q: Have you made the move toward different mediums within the
context of your painting practice? If it happened is this a sudden
change?
Yes, I have tried; but the experiment is only a part of my practice. It is not a sudden change it is just a change of medium.
9. What is the medium that you prefer the most?
Mind
10.
Let us discuss the philosophy and motives behind your work. Do your
work deal with very specific issues or concepts, political or
historical. Based on what you 've read, you view yourself as an outsider
who takes part in society rather than simply 'looking in', Can you go
into further detail about this-- why if these ideas have become the
focus of your work? Do correct me if I'm wrong in my interpretation.
My
works are not having any agreements with social, political or
historical issues. I am just enjoying the silent dialogues which are
getting created by it self.
11. Is there a purpose to your art?
Happiness
12. What are your key responsibilities as painter?
Honesty
14. What kind of response do you expect from an uninformed viewer?
At least a smile
15.What
are your favorite projects that you've completed in your career ? Do
you have any personal projects that you're working on now?
There
are nothing in particular which I call favorite, there is this sayingβ¦
yesterday is past, tomorrow is mystery, and today is the gift. Thatβs
why it is called βPresentβ. I can say that all projects which are being
favorite for me when I was working at that particular time.
Now I
am working with some number of series. Like finishing the last work for
the series βFloatβ. Simultaneously doing key drawings for series
βGravity to Graceβ, series βSmokeβ and βChangeβ change is the series
where I am using all useless materials which were use to be useful upon a
time. And some works related to media, which I am doing using computer.
16. What are the best thing and the worst thing about being an artist?
Best thing, I know what I am up to. Worst thing, my parents donβt know what I am up to.
17.Any other thing you want to say that is not mentioned?
While
working there is a gap between when you are working and not working
also. That gap is the satisfaction which is worth well.
Thank you!
Thank you!