Shovin Bhattacharjee /India
by Shovin Bhattacharjee
I have a keen sense of design and an intuitive grasp of spatial organization whereby I am able to create a dramatic moment in my works. Most of my works is marked by a strong thematic content that relates to the impact of modern technology on our life and attitude. The presentation of the theme is generally couched in a satirical mode that also brings out my sense of black humour. Some of my works tellingly bring out the inanities involved in monotonous human aspirations particularly when the individual really does not “know” their significance nor their consequence. I am invariably always makes use of a strong visual metaphor to convey my reflections on life and the attendant humorous side of it. In my pictorial language, I often uses contrasting bright colours in conjunction with geometrical configuration of a labyrinth. Each artwork is built up meticulously by detailed planning, as it were, so as to get the focus on the underlying thematic content rather than the plastic qualities of the medium. More than the medium, it is the message that seems important for me. I am situates myself in the present day context which have so much to do with innovative technological devices in almost every sphere of life be that one’s dwellings unit or the nature of work culture. I creates the ambiance of paradox involved in community living on one hand and its impersonal ethos, on the other. Like a curious naughty boy I am climbs on these beehive like architectural structures and seeks to have a glimpse around from different levels of elevation as though to apprehend the feel of the anonymity of one’s existence. Indeed, this is accentuated as the technique used in these works is based on new digital media art. I have over the years developed a style that is eminently suited to the powerful theme of alienation as it inflicts human society in the modern technology driven world. More than the angst underlying such a situation I am adds a sense of wry humour to my works. My method involves bringing into play the dimensional divergences in the figure-ground relationship. There is drama in these works though they are singularly bereft of any baneful sentimentality. My digital installation works to bring out the meaninglessness and monotony of the arid technology driven life. A telling comment on this socio-political theme is the watershed of my creative output whether that is in my paintings, digital arts, sculptures, video art or even public art installation works..
Shovin Bhattacharjee
Born (1976) and brought up in Shillong (India), received his BFA and MFA degree in fine arts from Assam University, silchar. After getting a diploma in conservation techniques from NRLC, Lucknow in 2002. He settled down in Delhi as a professional artist and has never looked back since then. Shovin has a seven solo shows with the Indian Cultural Centre Seoul, South Korea, collaboration with Indian Art Museum at Seoul, South Korea etc. Shovin Bhattacharjee is an artist working with Painting, Sculpture, digital art, new media art and public art installation. He is India’s one of the pioneers of Digital artists and also India’s first artist entire in to the NFT art auction and sold his NFT artwork at art auction opensea.io. Shovin has also participated in National and International Exhibitions like “Spirit of India” Embassy of India, Lisbon in association with Art Catto Gallery at Conrad Hotel, Algrave, Portugal; 1st Digital Art Biennial, Brazil; Guanlan International print Biennial, China, India-Korea Art Exchange exhibition at Korean Cultural Center, New Delhi; “HANJI FESTIVAL” exhibition at Korean Cultural Center, New Delhi. 13th Asian Art Biennale organized by The Bangladesh Shilpa kala Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh; 6th 7th and 8th International print Biennale organized by Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal; “Icon of Asia” International show at EM Art Gallery, Beijing, China; International print Biennale, Finland; Harmony Art shows organized by Harmony Art Foundation, Mumbai; All India Digital Art Exhibition, A.I.F.A.C.S., New Delhi; etc. Shovin won many scholarship, fellowship and awards including LKA National Scholarship, New Delhi; Junior Research Fellowship from H.R.D, Govt. of India, New Delhi; UNESCO scholarship (2002); “All India Platinum artist award, Gold artist award and Silver Artist Award” for Installation art and Digital art from Prafulla Dhanukar Art Foundation, Mumbai; 1st and 4th All India Digital Art Exhibition A.I.F.A.C.S., New Delhi (2011, 2014); 78th and 83rd Annual All India Art Exhibition, A.I.F.A.C.S., New Delhi (2006 and 2011) for Digital Art; State Award from Govt. of Meghalaya. Shovin’s work is part of the permanent collection at the Indian Art Museum, Seoul, South Korea, CICA museum, South Korea; Lalit kala Akademi, New delhi; National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi; Manipur Museum, Meghalaya State museum. Indian Cultural Centre, Seoul, South Korea; Art Catto, Portugal; He currently lives and works in New Delhi, India.
