User:Suraj kumar kashi

Suraj Kumar Kashi, Contemporary Artist

We are surrounded in a world that is full of art. As an artist, I see it in everything, and recreate the same to appeal to the senses, emotions, or intellect of others.

I truly believe that for art and fiction to resonate, they must speak honestly and emotionally. And if it delivers on the above parameters, it is remembered for a long time.

Coming to my work, just like most kids, and adults alike, I have always been fascinated with stories. I was introduced to the world of Mythology, Folklores and even Panchtantra through some intriguing stories that have lived through times immemorial. What’s more surprising is, that these stories are living themselves all around us, in our society, even today.

What I strive to do is to pick these stories, especially mythology, and put them in the contemporary scenarios to give out a revolutionary message to the society. In my artworks, you can see those stories, with contemporary issues highlighted.

My work is not a replica of our mythology, but my interpretation of that mythology in today’s scenario.

While painting the above on canvas, I strive to create a beautiful world and disseminate positive energy. To do so, I use bright colors, flowers, elements of nature and patterns etc. that helps people break out from the concrete jungles they live in.

Why Surrealism As Indians, we have grown with surrealism all around us.

We see the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha, the monkey Lord Hanuman, Gods and Goddesses with multiple faces or arms all around us. We also see surrealism in the stories we listen to, like animals that can talk, or humans who can fly.

This surrealism exists everywhere. In our homes, in our folklores, in our stories and even in our dreams.

Coming from a small town, I was fed on these stories, full of surrealism, everytime my mother had to ensure I finish my food. Slowly, these stories became a part of my subconscious mind, and started following me in my dreams. And eventually, they have started reflecting on my canvas now.

It all started when one day I was painting. And suddenly I felt that the characters on the canvas have come alive and started to fly and dance right n front of my eyes! It was a thrilling moment for me to witness my creation, which wasn’t even under my control! My love for surrealism has only grown since then.

Work Process When people start writing a story, they need a central character to begin with. As they proceed, they need dialogues, and other characters. Everything comes together to make the story impactful.

In the same way, when I start with my painting I start with a big figure and slowly everything else keeps coming to make my paintings into a visual story. I communicate through the symbols and motifs that are added to my paintings, each of which contains a story of its own.

When people see my work they immediately want to know the story behind it. I encourage them to look at the title of the first piece for a hint and to try to find the significance in the symbolism within the work.

Art always tells many stories. And different viewers perceive it differently. Sometimes the viewer is able to see a story in my art, that even I didn’t realize while painting, which is quite surprising and interesting. And that is why, the best way to understand art is to first have your own interpretation to it.

About myself: Born and having lived my formative years in the semi-urban town of Jamui (Bihar), INDIA, I moved to Delhi to complete my Masters Degree from College of Art, Delhi University, in 2003. I started my professional career as an Art Director in Ogilvy & Mather. I am presently living and working in New Delhi.

Suraj Kumar Kashi (Artist)

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