About Art

There has been a long standing debate about social responsibility. Should artists be socially responsible or is it art for art's sake for them. 

I painted the above because it was attractive - in terms of colour, light, form. As luck would have it I saw this video of Anil Gupta on TED Talks soon after. He shows a picture of a woman carrying water in Rajasthan used by some government agency for tourism promotion. What should be the shame of the country, that women have to carry water for long distances in this time and age. I felt guilty.

As an aside, I was excited that the talk was recorded in Mysore. 

There was an easy trick. I could name the painting something like "Shame of India" and act as if I had all the while planned it so. Best of both the world - art for art's sake and act as if I am socially conscious. But that won't do. Would it?

To ease my conscience, I looked at another recent painting of mine - an adivasi lady in front of her hut. This is a stark picture of an impoverished looking lady with none of the accoutrements of modern living. But what does that mean? Perhaps nothing. But at least I am seeking beauty where one is not accustomed to - in a country where the killer product is fairness cream. I wish there was a political fairness cream or a social fairness cream. 

There is another exhortation for artists or art students - work on what you are familiar with. Choose subjects from your milieu and so on. A part of that milieu I have captured in this one. A co-commuter of mine on the bus.