“Art is a way of expressing yourself where words are unable to. And an Artist is someone who dips his brush into his soul and paints his heart out on the canvas.”
The Uncommon Box strives to reach out to individuals who has not only lived their passion for art but also have taken their talent into another level. The journey of the making of an artist is the most interesting to read and also motivational. We believe in seeking out such gems from the vast mine of talent around us.
The Uncommon Box is delighted to throw the spotlight this time on Uncommon Artist Partha Mukherjee who lives and breathes his passion- his art.
During our discussion with this talented artist, he shared many interesting and inspiring facts about his life and his journey to artistdom.
Every journey of an artist is a realization of what he is good at. It also brings out the potential within him by polishing him through his struggles.
Partha adds “Well, my journey has been through a lot of things, meeting lot of people at lot of places. It started off when my cousin and I decided to make idols for small scale pujas. I was the one who tied the straw figures and my cousin was the one to bring out the beauty by adding the clay, the silt, the jute ecetera. It was then I also started taking training. Fortunately, my work had taken me to many renowned artists, and this moved me to taking up doing frescoes.
Yes, India, especially Kolkata has a very little demand for frescoes, so I started trying my hand at painting. That’s where it started off.”
Art has been in his family for quite a long time. Not painting, but also in other forms.
He says “My family members have been students of singers like Manabendra Mukherjee, Salil Chowdhury, Pulak Bandopadhyay, Akhilbandhu Ghosh, and the list goes on. May be that sleeping gene in me turned into a genie and told me to take up art. All I did was answering its call, and get mesmerised.”
Parents are the source of inspiration and self-confidence. They are the nurturers of kindness and humility in us. Partha also believes the same. He says –
“My parents and my cousin are my sources of inspiration. My cousin is a born artist. My parents still learn singing and music.”
Motivation is something which constantly drives us on with our work and passion. It is the art of getting people to do what they want them to do because they want to do it.
He says, “The zeal to push further beyond limits is unending. The fact that “I can do it’, keeps me craving to learn more. I am not sure if my thoughts are right or wrong, but it seems nice.”
Art requires inspiration.
Partha explains what inspires him to make a particular painting and the kinds of patterns he follows.
“I am mostly inspired by the feeling of happiness. I mostly look for mythology and culture. My current painting series is centred around Indian culture and its relation with spiritualism. I hope to present it someday at an exhibit.”
As an artist there are many challenges to be faced. He says:
- Bargains! Even when cost of material nowadays is sky high, I am asked for free favours, half price and friendly discounts.
- Most of the people who propose a commissioned work fail to get the fact that we are humans, not printers, so a human painting takes a humongous effort as well, and sometimes even a month can fall short if the size of the painting is huge. I don’t blame them though. We live in the time of speed.”
It’s not a particular genre of art that Partha follows. He has a liking for mythology, but it has not been his favourite topic always.
This has evolved from many other topics, and he’s sure that it shall change it to something else in the future. Exploring is what he loves.
He had been under professional training from a number of renowned artists, and has also worked with people like Wasim Kapoor, Anjan Bhattacharjee and Shekhar Gupta.
Recognition and appreciation is the basic food for every artist.
It makes them feel appreciated for their hard work and efforts. Setting up goals also makes an artist much more enthusiastic about his work.
About his future plans Partha shares,
“May be by that time, Google will list me as one of the top artists in Kolkata, if not India, if not world. Too big a dream? I choose to dream it.”
A set of advice that he shares for all budding artists:
- A copy of an artwork is not original art.
- If you take an excerpt from another person’s work and socialize it saying it’s your, consequences will be the same as taking an excerpt from Geetanjali and claiming that it’s written by you.
- Struggle. It helps.”
Such a captivating and absorbing journey it has been. Partha’s art has definitely a profound effect on us through the style adopted by him. The way he delineates art makes it more meaningful for us.
The artist sets an example for all the aspirants that one’s passion is something not to be forgotten. We at The Uncommon Box wish this gifted soul all the very best for his future efforts.
You can also follow Partha on:
Facebook Page | Instagram Handle
Do you wish to share you work with us? ? Mail us at theuncommonbox@gmail.com or use the Submit Your Story option on the website.
? Follow us @theuncommonbox and hashtag us #theuncommonbox on your uploads to be specially featured on our community on Instagram and on Facebook Group and Facebook Page.
? Our platform curates quality content from all genres of creativity – we invite writers, artists, fashion followers, stylists, photographers, performance artists, bloggers, lifestylists, Food Lovers – anyone with a passion for making their dreams come true. We are a forum sincerely dedicated to the promotion of all spheres of creativity. You can be a professional or an amateur – you can be anyone starting your hobby afresh! All that matters is your creative spark! So join us today and live the Uncommon life!
