User:Swastika Chakraborty/sandbox

Ankan Bandyopadhyay
Ankan Bandyopadhyay (born 1986, in Kolkata, West Bengal) is an Indian painter. He obtained a BFA (2008) and MFA (2010) in Painting from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata. His paintings intricately depict the evolving perspectives of individuals and society, reflecting changes in both psychology and societal dynamics over time.

His works have been displayed at the CIMA Gallery (Kolkata), Emami Art (Kolkata),19th Asian Art Biennale (Bangladesh), 62nd National Exhibition Lalit Kala Akademi (New Delhi) and many more.

Presently, he lives and works at his studio in Kolkata.

Early life & Education
Ankan was born in 1986 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. He was introduced to the world of art at a young age through his father, Arup Banerjee, who was also an art practitioner. Growing up in an artistic environment, Ankan frequently accompanied his father to various exhibitions and was exposed to the creative process early on. He often visited the studio Bhaskar Bhavan of Padmasri Chintamoni Kar in Narendrapur with his father. Additionally, Ankan spent considerable time with notable artists Mrinal Kanti Das and Prokash Karmakar. These experiences profoundly influenced him during his childhood, fostering a deep passion for painting. This early exposure and enthusiasm for art led him to develop his skills through consistent practice during his formative years.

Along with his keen interest in painting, Ankan also started his training in Classical Music from his childhood and has been under the tutelage of late Pandit Manas Chakraborty for ten consecutive years and later took lessons from Bidushi Ruchira Panda. Although he has already emerged as a painter, but this sincere disciple of Kotali Gharana never kept music as a second choice. He seems to be as comfortable and relaxed as a painter as when he expresses his inner voice through his favorite musical genre, Indian Classical Music.

Ankan obtained a BFA (2008) and MFA (2010) in Painting from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata.

Works
Ankan's work reflects the evolving perspectives of individuals and society over time, focusing on themes of materialism, self-centeredness, and alienation. Being a contemporary artist, he is known for his poignant exploration of societal themes and human psychology through his paintings. Ankan's notable series, "Small Series," captures the daily struggles and emotional experiences of ordinary people impacted by materialistic values.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ankan created the "Covid-19" series, inspired by the socio-economic effects of the crisis. Constrained by a shortage of traditional art materials during the lockdown, he innovatively used milk boxes and sweet box cartons as canvases. This unconventional medium allowed him to portray the raw and unfiltered reality of the pandemic, emphasizing the themes of quarantine and isolation. Ankan’s creative response to the pandemic also led him to explore contemporary art by transforming waste materials into meaningful artworks.

Ankan's recent work, "Sunderban to Sonarpur", examines the impact of urban migration on the landscape and community. It focuses on the colorful yet lonely houses in Sonarpur, which resonate with the vibrant yet isolating aspects of Fauvism. This series reflects the migration of people from the Sundarbans to Sonarpur and their adaptation to new environments. Through his art, Ankan continues to document and interpret the socio-cultural dynamics of modern society.

Ankan also worked as an illustrator in various newspapers and magazines like The Times of India, Khabor365din, Femina Magazine (India),Dookul Magazine (USA) to name a few.

Group Exhibitions

 * 2024 - Fantastic Realities and Beyond, CIMA Gallery, Kolkata
 * 2023 - Bengal Boston Bridge, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata
 * 2022 - Prafulla Dhanukar Art Foundation, Mumbai. (Awarded)
 * 2022 - The Lexicon Art, New Delhi
 * 2022 - Watercolours, CIMA Gallery, Kolkata
 * 2022 - 19th Asian Art Biennale, Department of Fine Arts, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
 * 2022 - CIMA Awards Show, CIMA Gallery
 * 2021 - 62nd Lalitkala Akademi National Exhibition, Delhi
 * 2021 - 30th Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation, Dhoomimal Gallery, New Delhi
 * 2021 - Following the Strokes, Through Dark Times, KCC, Emami Art, Kolkata (AWARDED)
 * 2021 - 5th Dooars Annual Exhibition, Jalpaiguri
 * 2020 - SURFACE, Artbuzz India, Delhi
 * 2020 - S.M Sultan death Anniversary International exhibition, Bangladesh
 * 2020 - Ripples, Krittika Arts space, Shantiniketan
 * 2020 - International Art Exhibition on Covid 19, ICCR, Delhi
 * 2020 - Royal Academy International online Exhibition, Karnataka
 * 2019 - ART FAIR - Kolkata Centre for Creativity, Kolkata
 * 2019 - Charukala Utsav, Kolkata
 * 2019 - ArtNow, Gallery Arttism, Kolkata, CURATOR
 * 2018 - Charukala, Kolkata
 * 2017 - Charukala Utsav, Kolkata
 * 2016 - Art Fair - emami chisel, Kolkata
 * 2015 - Emami chisel art, Kolkata
 * 2015 - CIMA Award Show - Studio 21, Kolkata
 * 2014 - print o art - Maya Space, Kolkata
 * 2012 - Gallery Tejas, Taj Bengal, Kolkata
 * 2012 - Studio 21, Kolkata
 * 2011 - Chitrakalaparishad, Bangalore.
 * 2010 - Ex Bosepacia gallery, Kolkata
 * 2010 - VAANI- ITC Sonar Bangla, Kolkata
 * 2010 - R. B. U. Annual Exhibition, Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata
 * 2010 - 43rd Birla Academy Annual Exhibition, Kolkata
 * 2009 - “This SMS” present’s a show, Birla Academy of Art and culture, Kolkata
 * 2009 - R. B. U. Annual Exhibition, Kolkata
 * 2009 - Zephyr presents "BLANK" a group show, Academy of fine Arts, Kolkata
 * 2008 - Monsoon Show - Gallery Exposure, Kolkata
 * 2008 - Art fair in gallery exposure, Kolkata
 * 2008 - U N F P A (Delighting In Daughters), New Delhi [awarded]
 * 2008 - R. B. U. Annual Exhibition, Kolkata
 * 2007 - 8th Camel Art Foundation, Patna
 * 2007 - 72nd Annual All India Fine Arts (Academy of Fine Arts), Kolkata
 * 2007 - Barshik Charukala Utsav, Kolkata
 * 2007 - Indian Society of Oriental Art, Kolkata
 * 2007 - Exhibition in state Academy
 * 2007 - R. B. U. Annual Exhibition, Kolkata
 * 2006 - R. B. U. Annual Exhibition, Kolkata
 * 2005 - R. B. U. Annual Exhibition, Kolkata

Solo Exhibition

 * 2012- Gallery Tejas, Taj Bengal, Kolkata

Solo Performance

 * 2013-Raagmala, Studio 21, Kolkata.

Musical Performance

 * 2015- RAJYA CHARUKALA UTSAV, Kolkata.
 * 2013-Studio 21, Kolkata
 * 2011-Katiyam Ramkrishna Ashram ICCR. Kolkata.

Awards

 * 2008 - UNFPA (Delighting in Daughters), New Delhi.
 * 2020 - Royal Academy International Exhibition, Karnataka.
 * 2021 - Following The Strokes, Through Dart Times, KCC, Emami Art, Kolkata.
 * 2022 - Prafulla Dhanukar Award, Mumbai.