(Born-2 January, 1959)
Subrata Gangopadhyay was born in Kolkata,1959 and he is an eminent Indian contemporary artist. He Graduated from Govt. College of Art & Crafts, Kolkata in 1980. He was exhibited numerous solos and group art exhibitions across Indian. He has worked professionally as Ex-Assistant Art Director of Ananda Bazar Group of publication, the leading Bengali newspapers. Now he is working as independent full-time artist.
In his early years, he started doing illustrations to support himself financially. After receiving a scholarship to Government Art College, he began working as an illustrator for a local newspaper in his final year. Balancing both his studies and job, he found enjoyment in both pursuits. According to Gangopadhyay, 'his themes on human situations and colours are influenced by the interplay of light. His diminishing faith in life's witness guides his brush.' Through each painting, Gangopadhyay seeks to convey a statement about life, capturing the sensitivities of people and establishing a mental connection. Women, particularly in North Kolkata, embody a familiar identity, representing a typical Bengali milieu. When he portrayed them, he appreciated their association. Nevertheless, changes have occurred in this milieu."
Gangopadhyay depicts different cultures and the celebration of festivals in his artworks, such as Durga Pooja (Sindoor festival), Holi, Garba, as well as day-to-day life and depictions of Gods and Goddesses. The strength of his lines and the life-like quality of his figures have contributed to his enormous popularity and critical success. Widely considered one of India’s leading painters in the modern realistic tradition, his artistic vision is characterized by swirling colours, a sense of movement (both external and internal), and a vivid array of hues. These qualities are evident in his “Rhythmic Harmony Series” on Indian dances. In these oil and acrylic paintings, the dancers come alive with their colourful skirts flowing to the rhythm.
Gangopadhyay’s works are realistic and figurative, especially portraying women. He experiments with various mediums such as oils, acrylics, fibre, charcoal, pens, and inks. He often uses the impasto technique with thick colours. His brushwork ranges from smoothly realistic to the patchy impastos of vibrant expressionist strokes. He always wants to discover the reality of a person because it's his job to beautify that. He begins directly with the brush and colours from the top, slowly moving downwards to the details, like the downward flow of water.
Subrata Gangopadhyay lives and works in Kolkata.
