Avijit Dutta has come a long way since graduating in arts from the Rabindra Bharathi University, Kolkata. He believes there is no need to create a false halo around oneself to project unreal situations.
Says Avijit, “The search for truth is never-ending and eternal. What’s wrong in being true to oneself and the situation in life?” “There were times I went into depression, but I worked my way out of it. It’s very important to face the reality of life. There is no need to follow or live a life which one does not believe in. Expensive gadgets may be good to show off, but life would always be shallow,” he adds. His recent show ‘Life is a deck of cards’ is about the ‘game of life’. It depicts 54 of his works which includes the pack of cards and 2 jokers.
All his works are watercolours on canvas and the frames are original vintage material. “There are many works that show my time with relatives and friends in childhood. The end result of the game may not be favourable, but the show must go on. Nothing remains the same — life is ever-changing,” he says.
On display: One of Avjit’s paintings from his recent show ‘Life is a deck of cards’
He has fond memories of Hyderabad. “The city has always welcomed me. My association with artists and gallery owners has been cordial. They understand my urge to keep working and churning out the best of creativity.”
Art, for Avijit, is beyond money. “I have embarked on a journey of creativity which comes only through practice. On some days, I practice for 16 hours. Modern day distractions are not for me. What is the need to be curious of which artist’s painting is sold for what price? After all, the price of an artwork can never be the parameter to judge success.”
Also, Avijit is very outspoken about ‘copy artists’. “Young artists must show their own identity and not copy. Be original. Even a few senior artists produce works like a factory, with assistants doing most of the work. This is not a good sign for art. The journey of art lies in original, constant work by each artist,” he concludes
The writer is a musician, creator of ‘Jaywant Guitar’ and a freelance photographer
