Artist Soura Chatterjee and the world as he sees it

Invasion of Privacy by artist Soura Chatterjee
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Ever wondered how peeping Toms are creepy voyeurs while Big Brother is a not-so-benign Snoopy? In Nahi Manzoor, Bengaluru-based artist Soura Chatterjee depicts scenes from daily life and commonplace problems that barely cause a ripple, only because we have normalised them.

“I depict everyday activities because as an artist I feel it is my duty to society, just as a doctor, lawyer or policeman have their obligation to the community. As artists, we chronicle the times we live in as a record or reference for the future,” says Soura. “We may not be here 500 years from now, but if our art survives, it would give future generations an idea of our lives.”

While Soura admits the depictions depend upon individual perspectives, he believes artists “not only do this for themselves but also for people who do not have the language to share the problems they face on a daily basis.”

In a way, he is also spying on their lives, agrees Soura.

Soura Chatterjee
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Born in West Bengal, Soura unabashedly admits to having been influenced by the philosophy of the Communist Party which has been a part of the fabric of his native state. “I consider myself a ‘people’s artist’ and I am attuned to the political views and ideologies of the party.”

“In all my work, you will see a linear equalisation of some aspect of society — issues of gender, caste, levels of economy,” he says, going on to talk about one of his works in the show titled An Independence Day where a man is asleep at the foot of the tricolour while vultures circle overhead.

“It’s shameful that even after 75 years of independence, people are left to sleep on the roads. The vultures are those whose only interest is to profit as much as possible. In Threat to Privacy, the tiger is symbolic of those who encroach on one’s private space via surveillance.”

“I use symbols which people can easily understand because at the end of the day, if they do not understand my work then it is pointless.”

Angular, sharply edged, the stark contrast of planes and shadow bifurcate colour in Soura’s work. Everyday scenes and familiar objects are his inspiration.

Complexities of a Comfortable Place by Soura Chatterjee
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Originally a printmaker, Soura began painting in a big way during the pandemic and Nahi Manzoor is the body of work he created over the past two years. “Layering is important in printmaking and I have utilised the concept in my painting too. There are layers of colours as well as media in my work,” says the artist who uses acrylic, watercolours and prints, to create an overlapping effect.

Soura, who holds a Fine Arts degree from the College of Arts, Delhi specialising in Graphic Arts as well as a Masters in Visual Arts from MSU Baroda, says, “Earlier, printmakers were painters too. I am also documenting my work through videography and am working on new media for my upcoming show.”

Soura works on canvas and paper in sizes ranging upwards from 22×30 inches.

As many as 25 of his works are a part of Nahi Manzoor and will be on show at Gallery Time and Space till April 4, 2023.