Inner Visions
The Essence of Artistic Expression
Indranil often finds himself overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions that yearn to be expressed. Art is more than just a visual representation; it serves as a gateway to his inner world. Everything he see around him—the colors of nature, the moods of people, and the shifting landscapes—reflects in my paintings. This connection to the environment fuels creativity, allowing an artist to translate his subconscious experiences into tangible forms on canvas.
To Indranil, art is a powerful medium for expressing the myriad feelings and experiences that life presents. Each painting is an opportunity to share a piece of his soul, transforming the intangible into something beautiful and meaningful. As he continue to create, he remains committed to capturing the essence of the world around him, one brushstroke at a time.
Indranil Banerjee’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in inspiration drawn from the modern paintings of Rabindranath Tagore. In his formative years, Indranil began to explore the concept of texture in painting, developing a unique style influenced by the works of the celebrated Indian painter, Vasudeo S. Gaitonde. For Indranil, texture is not just a visual element; it is the very structure of his art. He finds beauty in various types of textures, whether it’s broken or uneven, grayish textures found along roadsides, the roughness of walls, or the softness of foam.
This fascination with texture propelled him into a deeper artistic exploration. Indranil’s quest was to find recognizable forms within formless textures. This exploration is not merely a conscious effort; rather, it stems from a search that occurs within the subconscious mind. It reflects a journey that evolves internally, allowing his creativity to manifest in ways that may not be immediately apparent.
In this quest, every texture he encounters becomes an inspiration, leading him to uncover hidden shapes and forms. His work transcends traditional boundaries as he delves into the subconscious, allowing the textures to guide his artistic expression. This process reveals the intricate relationship between the seen and the unseen, where the texture serves as a bridge between the two.
Indranil Banerjee’s earlier paintings focused primarily on the process of creation rather than the narrative conveyed on the canvas. For him, achieving the desired texture was of utmost importance, leading to an exploration of the subconscious mind. This journey into his inner self allowed him to create a variety of forms and textures, which he found immensely joyful.
Banerjee emphasized a touch-based process, engaging with the materials through physical interaction. He explored different techniques involving pressure and movement, using his hands, fingers, and brushes to manipulate the paint. This tactile engagement with the medium allowed him to experience the act of creation deeply.
In his quest for new experiences, he began experimenting with various materials, such as mixing raw turpentine oil with acrylic paint. This process of experimentation was not merely about the final product; it was about the joy he derived from creating. Each stroke of the brush and each change in texture contributed to his evolving artistic expression.
As he continued to explore different techniques and materials, Banerjee’s work began to transform. From the initial focus on texture, his creations evolved into story-based paintings.
Art has a unique power to evoke emotions, and I find that the things that touch me deeply—whether they bring joy, sadness, or even shock—serve as catalysts for my creative expression. These feelings compel me to translate them into my artwork, leading me on a journey of exploration and discovery. This process is gradual and often requires me to dive deep into my emotions and thoughts.
At the core of my artistic journey is the concept of abstraction. To me, abstraction is not merely a technique but a transformative process that allows me to move from recognizable forms to something more formless. This transition is crucial; it involves stripping away the unnecessary details and focusing on the essence of what I feel. In doing so, I aim to capture the true spirit of my emotions.
To achieve this formless state, I often turn to my subconscious mind, a realm where I feel most at home. It is here that my genuine thoughts and feelings reside, unfiltered and raw. By tapping into my subconscious, I can access a deeper understanding of my experiences and emotions. This journey inward is both enlightening and liberating, as it allows me to break free from conventional representations and express my inner world authentically.
Abstraction, for me, is about finding beauty in the chaos of emotions. It’s about allowing the colors, shapes, and forms to emerge from the depths of my psyche. This process transforms my feelings into visual elements that may not immediately resemble reality but convey the essence of what I want to express.
The things that emotionally move me serve as the foundation for my artistic expression. Through the process of abstraction, I delve into my subconscious, transforming recognizable forms into formlessness.
The Canvas as a Confidant
To me, the canvas is not merely a surface but a living entity, a subject that patiently endures my emotional outbursts and listens intently to the whispers of my imagination. It is a vessel into which I pour my thoughts, feelings, and experiences, allowing them to flow freely onto the surface. The initial mark I make on the canvas sets the tone for the entire journey, leading me through a process of self-expression and catharsis.
If we imagine God as an idol, a form begins to take shape. We often envision that form similar to our human form. From there, we elevate God to a larger-than-life figure, tapping into our subconscious to create an abstract vision. This is why we depict God with multiple arms or exaggerated features—it’s our way of making the divine even more immense. That is the essence of abstraction.
The craft of painting is deeply interconnected, meaning that the process of creating art often influences the final outcome. Sometimes, the subject itself takes on a life of its own and transforms into the artwork through its unique aesthetic qualities. This relationship between the process, and the subject allows for a dynamic flow of creativity, where the initial idea evolves into something unexpected and beautiful.
