From the mind of young artists

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Suchi Govindarajan [1]

Kosh, a group show by four fledging artists Subhashis Dutta, Priyanka Batra, Somnath Raha and Chinmoy Goswami at India Habitat Centre gives us an insight into the creative trajectory of young artist before they succumb to market forces.
Chinmoy’s artistic journey started from Tripura, steeped in training in watercolours and wash techniques, painting of fishing boats and rain drenched landscapes. These early paintings speak of another time and place so much simpler and slow paced, where old buildings stand isolated in vast spaces, where light falling on them is not filtered through a haze of dust and smog, rather it is clear and mellow.
His move to Shantiniketan for higher training in art led to an expansion of artistic horizons and creative imagination that can be seen in further sophistication of the idea that technology is becoming all pervasive. The use of technological/digital paraphernalia has since become the language in his works. From Electricity towers to circuit boards, all components of post modern internal and external landscapes inform his works.
The Barbie doll image of a woman, with a predetermined body type, blonde hair and plastic prettiness is superimposed on a circuit; both are belong to the proliferation of globalised production. Human bodies have become reduced to integrated circuit boards as human functions are increasingly mediated through digital technology.
This sentiment finds an echo in the works of other artists in the show, with Subhashis Dutta’s etchings having a simplicity in composition and colour that belies the complexity of thought.
The single figure on a makara vyala in a conquering posture harks back to symbology in Indian art. The white mask like sculpture by Priyanka Batra with a black ribbon coming out of its mouth is monochromatic composition, shorn of all unnecessary accruements.