Having a Chinthala mask on your wall is a sure sign that you have arrived. One of the most sought-after global artists, Jagadish Chinthala’s creations have a universal appeal despite having Indian subjects; many famous Indian and international celebrities are proud owners of his artworks.
What many do not know is that Chintala opened his studio in Michigan, USA, and every four months in a year, he’s off to the US and works from there because he has many international clients — names of who he is hesitant to reveal. Neither does he like to talk about the price his artworks command.
His most recent work titled Best Man depicts the bond between two friends and how relationships change with time
Jagadish always had a strong affinity towards art since his early days. His artistic genius was spotted quite early by one of his teachers, who suggested that he pursue art as a career. Post-his bachelor’s degree at the JNTU College of Fine Arts in Hyderabad, he joined the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda to do his MFA. During his stint there, he met K. G. Subramanyan, an amazing teacher, who introduced him to modern art, murals and fresco painting techniques. Today, masks and free standing sculptures (which use aluminum as the base) are his forte.
Recipient of numerous national and international scholarships, prestigious British and American fellowships, he was one of the very few privileged artists of his time who travelled extensively for art, utilizing these opportunities to establish himself in the art world. Owing to his vast international exposure, Jagadish has started accommodating many new subjects in his works.
In his most recent work titled Best Man, he depicts the bond between two friends and how relationships change with time. Talking about exhibitions, Jagadish goes on to add that he is unable to accept offers of shows from galleries, instead collectors and connoisseurs directly reach out to him and his creations reach a larger audience. Some of his big-ticket sculptures are in the making currently, he reveals, modestly.
His picturesque Hyderabad to Chennai train travels were a stimulus for his paperwork series, a runaway hit in the US.
On being asked about his muse, he adds that he is motivated by what he sees around him. His picturesque Hyderabad to Chennai train travels were a stimulus for his paperwork series, a runaway hit in the US.
For upcoming artists experimenting across different art-forms, he has one thing to say: “As long as you do something original, unique and distinctive, there is no stopping or looking back.”
Jagadish Chinthala’s creations have a universal appeal despite having Indian subjects; many famous Indian and international celebrities are proud owners of his artworks
In India, every gallery would like to have whatever sells whereas in the US, galleries maintain a distinctive quality. Now I am used to the American life. Every four months, I feel like going to America
— Jagadish chinthala, artist
