Anindita Bose usually carries a small sketch pad with her everywhere, and whenever emotions stir up inside, she puts it all out on paper. “You never know when inspiration hits. The first thing I did even before talking was doodling on a paper... at least that’s the story I hear from my parents. So it was always in me,” smiles Anindita, who graduated from JJ School of Art, and majored in ceramics and painting.
A new online exhibition, Art Breathes Life x GiveIndia, features artworks by Anindita and a select group of artists. It is an initiative to raise and direct funds towards Covid relief organisations. A chat with Anindita, the founder of Art Breathes Life....
Your latest social media post is titled.... ‘Art Breathes Life X Anindita Bose. Gift yourself a piece of art and we’ll gift a little bit of life.’ What is it about?
It’s a fundraiser movement I started along with my sister, in collaboration with GiveIndia, where 100 per cent of the proceeds go to NGOs that are constantly fighting against this Covid battle.
How did this idea come to you?
Helplessness and sitting at home. This second wave has hit us so hard. Every single day waking up to grim news. I had to do something about it. So one morning while I was sketching, it occurred to me. I told my sister and she immediately jumped on board, and so did a few other friends. It is an online exhibition by an entire team of extremely talented artists from all over the country.
How has the response been till now?
In just few days of the exhibition going live, we are getting queries from a lot of artists and photographers who want to contribute their artwork for this cause. So I believe we are on the right path. We went live on May 9... and have managed to sell a couple of our works.
Tell us more about the sketches we see in your post... what are the themes?
Last year my sketches were to do with lockdown stories, this time it is based on a woman in search of herself.
What inspires you to paint/sketch?
I am an introvert. So when I have a lot of pent-up feelings I pick up my brushes and pour it onto a paper.
Do you like to capture moods, moments, fragments of life? Or do you believe in spreading a message through art?
I usually like to convey or spread a message through my work. When I fall short of words I depend on my artwork to do the job.
Do you have a fixed time when you like to draw or paint?
Mornings usually. After my workout and meditation. I sit with a cup of coffee and get to it.
Who are your fave painters?
Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Dali, Gustav Klimt, Hussain, Jamini Roy.
Does your drawing style get its inspiration from Cubism?
My art is influenced by Cubism. I like how it gives a different reality and dimension to an otherwise mundane world.
Do you have a fave painting? And is there a fave compliment that you got for your art?
Out of these five that I’ve made, the one titled, ‘I am you, you are me’ is my favourite. A favourite compliment would be when someone told me, ‘I see a lot of myself in your artwork’. The fact that people can relate to it makes me happy.
