Birth: 1979
Education:2003 Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) in Graphics from Kala Bhavana, Vishva Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal.
Five years Diploma in Painting, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata West Bengal
Selected Group Exhibitions2014 "Watch Out", Art Alive, Gurgaon
2013 '"Sensorium", present Suladharini - The Spear Wielder and Huntress of Evil", Kolkata
2013 "behind the Canvas", Dubai
2013 "Fantasy", Chandigarh Art Museum
2013 "An Art Store", Gallery Kolkata
2011 "Carpe Diem", Gallerie Nvya, New Delhi
2010 "July screening", Shakshi Gallery, Mumbai
2010 "Fresh Departures", Gallery Kolkata, Kolkata
2010 "Within Reach II", Gallerie Nvya, New Delhi
Joint Exhibitions2008 "Passion Play" , Sarjan Art Gallery, Boroda
Participations2003, 02 Annual Group Exhibition, Nandan Art Gallery, Santiniketan
2002 National Art School, Sydney2002 An Exchange Exhibition with Saga Art College, Japan
Awards2003-04 National Scholarship to Young Artists in Different Fields
1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03 Merit Scholarship from Kala Bhavana Shantiniketan Vishva Bharati University, Shantiniketan
About Yes ! I'm a conjurer
If you look through artist Pradiptaa Chakraborty’s vivid canvases, and then glance back at the title, you’re probably wondering who the conjuror is, and what is being conjured. A canvas bursting with lime greens, vermilion reds and cobalt blues? A world populated with a mix of grinning faces and serious expressions? A space where beings appear warped? Or rather, not appearing exactly as you expect them to be ?
Speak to the artist, and he tells you that it’s us who are the conjurers. Yes, us. Why? He believes we live in a world where none of us is who we claim to be. “I see life as a fleeting image made of joys and disappointments, and an arena where games are played out to veil our own instincts,” he explains. To translate this to visuals, Pradiptaa draws from sources as ancient as the Upanishads, and as varied as our mythological texts. Here and there, you may catch a glimpse of Lord Hanuman or Ravana, seen amidst 20th century buildings and cityscapes. Pradiptaa funnels his sombre vision of the world through works that assume a lighter vein.
As you browse through this collection, watch his figures emote and interact with each other, pulling you – the viewer – into this constantly unfolding spectacle.