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| Artical in
L'Officiel January 2004 |
Artical In The Indian Express |
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BRUSH WITH TOMORROW ……….
"When Gautam Mukherjii was 14 th an exhibition of Picasso's works inspired him to become a painter. But not a study art. “I don't believe in learning to paint academically. I think that they (art institution) force their ideas and techniques on you, and you don't grow as an individual painter ,” he asserts. Thus began a self-motivated process of reading books like The Great Atists and attending shows of artists such as Jogen Chowdhury and Bikash Bhattacharya. Mukherjii also dabbled in portrait painting that has been translated into a figurative style today. Mukherjii paints with acrylic on canvas (watercolours restrict his expression). At first glance, his works reflect Bengali family life. “This is my dhaung (approach) . You will see kurshi (chair), almadi (capboard), but it is not a photograph. A child pulling his grandpa's spectacles, three women combing each other's hair…all such family life images express the sentiment of love felt the world over by one and all.” Even though he has pursued the same theme over several years. Mukherjii's works show a progression; ”My colours are smoother and reveal the character of the person. The figurative strokes are stronger and therefore my women are more real now."
……..By Neha PAREKH.
L'Officiel January 2004
Photo: Ashima Mehra
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Art World.....
"Recently, a young and dynamic artist Gautam Mukherjii exhibited his paintings titled “Sweet Bengal” at Habiart gallery at Habitet Centre . In this series, the artist has captured the fascinating images of Soner Bangla's golden period. It was the time when a glorious culture flourished. In painting, Gautam's approach is somewhat easy and he proves himself well versed in the subject. With acrylic pigments, he paints the beautiful women and families of Bengal . His paintings are figurative, studying the rich heritage of Bengali culture. His characters share a feeling of hope despite the despair. Gautam says, ”My images are realistic because they are my reaction to contemporary concerns and real-life situations. But I try to give them a new realistic twist so that if there are 2 object in the painting, they go to lend a good balance .” No doubt, the paintings of this artist are impressive"
By JAGDEESH CHAWLA
WOMAN'S ERA
November (first) 2004
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"Gautam Mukherjii is a self-taught artist painting in acrylic on canvas, apparently delighting In what he has painted for his show…..Choosing for his subject from the indolently indulgent ‘zamindari' fiefdom of Bengal , he shows a remarkable ability to capture atmosphere, detail, mood and body language. In its sum total,these abilities make his works more than anything else, entertaining and in some cases engaging. I have heard of far less focus and detailing in the portrayal of clothes in certain series of art works described as “fashion statements”; this really makes Mukherjii's works quite a disply of Lifestyle and ‘designer' wear; The detailing on the saree, its pleats, its finely woven border, the gold hue of the bangles, complete with the traditional ‘shankha', the white bangle and ‘paula' the red bangle, and the touch of vermilion between the parting of the hair. No less interesting are the details of the bedstead, the men's striped kurtas, the tapestry, the hand fans and the bunch of keys tied to the ‘anchal' or the loose, flowing end of the sari……… Gautam would be better off without such pointless gimmicks, for his work shows considerable promise otherwise. The roundness of form and bright cheerful colours, while keeping his men and women real, also manage to distance them in time by means of well- observed dress codes and mannerisms,stylizing them as ghosts of another era, representatives of Bengal 's past "
ARUNA BHOWMICK.
‘THE STATESMAN' (NewDelhi)
8.1
08.10.2004 |
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