Maladies on canvas

Artworks by Ranjit Das.

After a hiatus, noted artist Ranjit Das is holding a solo painting exhibition. The exhibition, titled “Rim”, will be held at Bengal Art Lounge in Gulshan, Dhaka in September. His last solo art show was held at Galleri Kaya. The USP of Das' paintings is an in-depth observation of the socio-political and economic aspects of the society.
“For a long time, I have been working on a theme. But I have had always made an attempt to present the subject with diverse forms, colours, shapes and compositions.
“At the upcoming exhibition, my figurative works will have a touch of realism but a bit of a distorted look. I am now devising the figures, visages and various parts of the forms. You can say it is an intense journey through experimentation. I am certainly searching for a new look for my paintings,” said the seasoned artist.
Das' working style gradually changed after he completed his masters from MS University, Baroda, in India. He was a direct disciple of famous artist KG Subramanian. With the passage of time, he has refined himself as a dedicated artist.
Das has gone through various phases of experimentation -- realism, semi-realism, expressionism and abstract expressionism. His sharp lines are evocative. Scribbles, arrows, broken lines, loops as well as curls, squares, oval and other forms are recurring features in his works. At the upcoming exhibition, horses, crows, dogs, goats, herons, swans, peacocks will emerge on the canvas along with figures, broad lines and diverse complex forms. A straight line or bar across his canvas has become his personal hallmark. He often concentrates on a particular limb or fraction of a human figure. He builds up layer of textures and tones.
All his works have in the background a story -- often familiar to us. The images give us a real picture of social structure and various contemporary issues in the country. Figures in his paintings are resonant and eloquent. Das' works are distinguished for their meticulously chaotic, reflective and imposing use of colour. He is also frequently searching the boundaries of expressions with various geometric and architectural shapes. Light is another noticeable feature in his works and it focuses especially the facial expression of the figures.
“Depression, conflict, instable emotional state are often highlighted in my paintings. I try to provide a psychological narrative. I want to produce paintings that not only describe how we look physically but also capture mental, emotional and spiritual states. I feel continuity is very significant for a painter. Without persistence, painting cannot be considered art.
“The thoughts, beliefs, values, and emotions of artists are unavoidably represented in their works. A number of familiar connections between art and the functions of the mind are the ways in which artists express their own thoughts, feelings, and mental anguish. Several notable artists have expressed their unconventional thoughts and moods through their paintings. Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Edvard Munch and Bernard Buffet openly stated that their artwork reflected their depressed mood,” said Das.
In the past, Das predominantly worked with oil. Now he is quite adept in acrylic -- a medium that allows him to create a sense of quietness and joy of freedom. For the upcoming exhibition, the artist has also worked with pen and ink. Das feels comfortable working on a large canvas, as his themes and compositions demand space. The upcoming exhibition will not be an exception.