“My work is based on the human soul. This has it’s own flow. Our feelings change in accordance with the change of time. The outflow of natural human instincts like emotions, affections, anger, sorrows and happiness depend upon certain moments. Being an artist, I do realize such feelings come through my canvas. Hues are different for each realization and are expressed in the sub conscious mind. In some of my paintings, irregular shapes are chosen as a means of escaping the limitations imposed on creativity by the conventional rectangular format. All my artworks are engaged with the topography of surface, i.e. texture.  Each canvas is coated with multiple layers of paint, of different colors and thickness. Occasionally, strips of wood or string are introduced. I express these realizations in abstract forms,” says artist Satyabrata Adhikari.

What’s your artistic background?

I’m from Kolkata. Painting has always been a hobby since childhood. I enrolled in The Indian Art College, (Under RBU) West Bengal.

What role does the artist have in society?

Every artist plays a different and necessary part in contributing to the overall development and well-being of our society. Creative people provide their communities with joy, interaction and inspiration, but they also criticize our political, economic and social systems — pushing communities to engage thoughtfully and take steps toward social progress.

What art do you most identify with?

I am accustomed to creating two kinds of artwork. Both tangible and abstract artworks. Abstraction attracts me more. When we look at an abstract image, we do not have the benefit of objective imagery to help us recognize objects or narratives. We do not have human figures to connect with or any sense of a storyline to follow. We only have the essential formal elements of the image: we have lines, shapes, colors, forms, textures etc. We are left to confront these elements without any prior knowledge of what exactly they mean. Whereas a figurative work of art might allow every viewer to engage with it on the same level by referencing some aspect of history or life with which we are all familiar, an abstract artwork requires that every viewer that sees it begins anew, using their thoughts and feelings to arrive at some conclusion about what it could possibly mean.

What themes do you pursue?

It’s not my nature to follow any particular direction. I try to strive through my mind to express my ideology and thoughts and put it on my canvas. My artwork has a resemblance with the Freudian theory. We can’t get hold on our emotions. Apparently, it may in turn control us but generally, it is beyond our grip.

Why art?

Art is essential. Art has the power to move people and offer new experiences. You maybe can exist without it but you can’t truly LIVE without it. Art is essential and necessary for human survival and artists are just interpreters to express the language of art.

What is an artistic outlook on life?

Art not only improves our mental health, it empowers us with a sense of purpose. The creativity that comes with producing and looking at art can change our outlook on life. To create something that has never happened before. Gain immortality through that creation.

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

Maybe. But I don’t feel lonely. I can share my feelings, emotions with others. But I think, sometimes artist should feel the loneliness, which can help to him/her to create new artworks.

Should art be funded?

Absolutely!

What role does art funding have?

Inspires the artist. Funding provides the space for artists to take risks and take leaps that challenge us to think differently – which is exactly what great art should do.

Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.

I do not dare. But these three are my favorite artists. Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Wassily Kandinsky.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Create and create more artworks, don’t stop exploring and creating.