Artist Interviews

Meet Ranu Chakraborty

“Indian culture is very ancient, rich and traditional. I find a very integrated bonding of designs and patterns of nature, in Indian ornamental design, which has a graphic language that tells stories and emotions with its own unique way.”

 

About the Artist:
Born and brought up in a remote town in India, Ranu Chakraborty was always very passionate about art, living far from a city it was hard for her to pursue art college education. But with love for her art and her dream, she graduated in Fine Art from the Govt, College of Art, India,  with a first class rank and started following her dream of becoming an independent artist. It has been more than 15 years since she has been working as an artist in India and now in Canada.

 

  1. Tell us a bit about yourself. Where did you grow up? What did you study?

I grew up in a small town called West Bengal, a province of India. I have been attracted to origami since I was a kid. It amazed me to see how a simple piece of paper can turn into a beautiful art, so I started learning it by trying my own. I was also interested in drawing so I picked it up as a hobby. Observing me drawing things and getting better at it, one day my uncle took me and my cousin into an art school where both of us started learning drawing and painting. That is where it all started. 

Although I was interested in painting, I wanted to finish my general studies.  I started thinking about painting again when I finished my graduation in accounting. I started pursuing my passing again. I found an opportunity to go to an art college, where I studied Indian style of painting for the next five years and graduated with first class. After my second graduation, I got married and moved to a different province, where I continued my art.

  1. In May you participated in our online art exhibition ‘Encounters.’ What was the inspiration for “Buddha” and “Veenapani”

Buddha, who is a teacher of life, who shows that the world is ever changing and transient in nature so nothing is permanent. Buddha’s teaching inspires us to learn how to get connected to nature and see the world through his teaching. I feel that with a strong foundation of knowledge and vision. Buddha’s teaching is inspiring the community to be creative, imaginative and spontaneous that brings meaning to life. I was inspired by this fascinating perspective of life. “Veenapani”, is about the goddess of knowledge in Indian culture. She sits on lotus petals holding a Veena, (an Indian musical instrument) and having her swan along with her. Lotus symbolizes purity of body and mind, even if its root is in mud. Goddess Saraswati or Veenapani is believed to be the source of every knowledge in the universe. Without knowledge there is no learning, since childhood I was attracted to knowledge which leads me to follow her celebration every year in our school and home. I used to take part in decorating her idol and ornaments and pray for her blessings.    Both these subjects are very near to me when it comes to Asian culture and its roots. It reminds me where we are from and how we treasure the value of knowledge. 

  1. The medium you used for your artwork is intriguing. What made you use paper as a medium to make art? How long does it take you to make an art piece with paper?

Paper is a very versatile medium. As a medium, it is something so unique, so delicate yet strong in its appearance, it encouraged me to apply it in my visual representation of my imaginative world in 3D formation. The creation of shadow and depth in one small crease or fold, creating volume through different layers, has made me very curious. I am always thrilled to work with paper, because every time it surprises me as a medium and creates immense potential for the next artwork. 

  1. In what ways does your cultural background influence your artwork?

Indian culture is very ancient, rich and traditional. I find a very integrated bonding of designs and patterns of nature, in Indian ornamental design, which has a graphic language that tells stories and emotions with its own unique way. Later I was introduced to Indian style of painting which over time has evolved but kept the essence, the patterns and the graphic elements in its style.

                                                

  1. How do you see Canada as a country fostering artistic expression of artists from different cultural backgrounds? 

Canada is a country which embraces different cultures and backgrounds. I have seen many art and artists in exhibitions which are contemporary as well as traditional. Canada amazes me with its effort of bringing the community together and encourages every artist of different culture and race to bring their own identity in one platform.

  1. When did you join Semiahmoo Arts and what was your motivation to join?

I joined Semiahmoo Arts as a member this year before the exhibition in May but I have participated earlier in another exhibition of Semiahmoo titled “ Her story” in 2018. Semiahmoo Arts is very active in organizing art exhibitions round the year. It motivates me to be a part of these events.

  1. How do you think arts can unite people from all different classes and races?

I think every art is a language of expression which comes with its own essence of race and class, and every expression inspires artists and the audience to learn, understand and enjoy the uniqueness of it. I look at it as a festival or a fair where people from different backgrounds, different origins come together and enjoy in their own way. It is as if different colours of a colour pallet mixes together to make a beautiful painting.