Sircari art

Find out more about shampa Sircar Das, a young artist from South Delhi who was invited to be a part of India art Summit

Find out more about shampa Sircar Das, a young artist from South Delhi who was invited to be a part of India art Summit

Chittaranjan Park girl Shampa Sircar Das is one of the young artists who was invited to participate in the prestigious India Art Summit 2011. We caught up with the south Delhi girl. Here are the excerpts:u00a0

What are your works all about?
My work revolves around a symphony of nature, spirituality and humanity. There is a somewhat unfinished feel in my work that seems to bring it closer to nature. The serene images of faces in my canvas are reflective of what I see and experience during my travels to Ladakh , Lahaul and Spitti.

The unfinished feel is just as it is in the landscape, monastery and the 1,000-year-old frescoes adorning monastery walls. The icons such as the golden fish (matsya) signify happiness, freedom and fertility. The pattern of growth of the lotus signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment. These forms are linked with both Buddhism and Hinduism so they form a common language.

My travels to such places make me see and experience the smallest of things. The forms, images, iconic symbols play around in my canvas to weave a story of their own.u00a0
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What did you showcase at the India Art Summit?
There were three of my latest paintings that were displayed by the gallery for the Summit.u00a0

What are the subjects you deal with?
Earlier I have always worked on several untitled works under a series. Like Tattva series was influenced by the five elements of nature. Shunya or Shunyata series suggested that things are 'empty', lacking independent, persistent existence.

The Pratidhwani series was a phase where the outer and inner world become one and new voices are heard and discovered. The Dhyana series was influenced by monks living in isolated communities, the
mystical and esoteric spaces inside monasteries and the rich array of mural and icons illuminated by the butter lamps.u00a0
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What is your style of painting?
My palette is strong and vivid, inspired by the murals and icons of old monastery walls. The choice of colour is influenced by what I see during travels. A lot of metallic colours like gold are used as they form an intrinsic part of Tibetan art.

They are symbolic of earth, its rootedness and renunciation. Colour symbolism is an integral part of the art and culture. The basic colours in the flags, frescoes, monasteries influence my palatte.

What mediums do you use?
Most of my works are mix media works with acrylic on canvas using multiple layering of colour and object. This also provides the works with a textured feel, reminiscent of ancient monastery walls.