QUESTIONS FOR ARTISTS


1. Where did your schooling in Art take place? Or you have picked up painting on your own. How did you incline towards fine arts?

I did my Ph.D. in Microbiology. I am a self-taught artist. I have been passionate about art since my childhood.

2. As a student of Art, who were your contemporaries, who later became renowned artists?

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3. Who were your teachers during your studies? Did anyone/some ones did inspire your work at the initial stage as a student artist.

No one inspired me. I used to paint landscapes when I was a child. When I became an active artist in 2006, I didn’t know much about art & artists. I was like a blank canvas. I just used my mind & thoughts to do my work. My themes came from my science lab. As there aren’t many artists who work with themes from science, I am glad to say I am my own teacher & guide!
4. What were the major difficulties that you faced during becoming an artist and later while establishing yourself as a visual artist-in your country and then abroad.

As I crossed over from the field of science, I didn’t know initially how art world worked. In science if your work is good you will get recognition immediately irrespective of your age & experience as you can prove a scientific theory anytime. However, in art you can’t say with certainty that an art work is the best because it is based only on perception. So experience and age will be given importance here.

When you are a baby who doesn’t have any knowledge in the field you will definitely face difficulties here. However, I quickly learned the tricks of the trade. My on line art gallery http://www.kkartfromscience.com helped me go places. As I chose a rare theme I got recognition internationally. I get so many messages daily appreciating my work that I totally forget that I am from another field. I have more than 2000 artist friends now who stand by me & support me all the time. I thank the art world for accepting me as a person belonging to their family & showering me with love & affection. I am really overwhelmed by this reception I got here.

5. Can you classify certain important significant landmarks in your long art-journey?

My journey is very short here. But I am getting invitations from people from several parts of the world to organize shows in their places. Some European Art Schools are asking me to give my works in Art from Science to keep in their museums. I have been appointed as the chief consultant for the Women for a Change Foundation‘s (based in Europe) International Art Project which is about to start soon. I got this assignment because I am doing research on Art collectors.

I created a network, http://www.artlab.ning.com for all art related people where I explore the relationship between art & science. I am writing & publishing articles on art related subjects.

6. Who are the major artists, who have inspired you or your work and why?

Nobody inspired me. However, I have a special liking to Leonardo da Vinci because he was a master of both science & art.

7. Your paintings are a blend of inspirations gathered from various sources. Which culture has a greater impact on your art and why?

Science is my inspiration & Indian culture & religious thoughts practiced here too have some impact on my work I try to create harmony between various fields like art, science, religion, philosophy etc. through my work.
8. You have been underlined as a creative artist using multi-media for your various forms of expression. What has been your central concern?

I want common people to understand science in a better way. So all my works based on science are simple ones yet they carry very powerful messages (people who have seen my work told me this).
10. In any series of paintings you have blended the images of the East to those of the West, What was the reason thereof and how did it bridge the occidental and oriental sensibilities??

Science is a universal language but more advanced in the West. I mix Indian philosophy, religions etc. with science. My happiness touched the sky when I found this message which was sent by an unknown person half a world away in my in box recently:

I LOST MY WIFE OF 52 YEARS TO CANCER RECENTLY. I WAS VERY DEPRESSED AND INCONSOLABLE TILL I CAME ACROSS YOUR ART WORK. I SAW YOUR PAINTINGS ON LINE, READ THE DESCRIPTIONS OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND UNDERSTOOD THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE. AS I CANNOT BUY YOUR WORK, I DOWNLOADED THE IMAGES AND THE TEXT AND SAVED THEM. THEY WILL BE WITH ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. THANKS, DR. KRISHNA, FOR BRINGING SANITY BACK INTO MY LIFE.

Need I tell you more?
11. What major difference do you feel between the Indian art scene today as compared to the contemporary art world of West?

In the West art & artists are encouraged very much. Some of my friends in the West who are new to the scene too tasted success and are making a living out of selling their art works. However, in India, new artists struggle a lot and are unable to make a meaningful career in the field of art.

12. Taking a global view of modern world art, how do you rate major Indian artists and their art? Who are artists you know from India?

I know several artists both from India & other parts of the world. Most of the new & emerging artists are my friends. However, only a few works of all the artists can stand the test of time. I say this because there should be depth in thought & work to stand out as a

Good art work. If you observe the art market, daily millions & millions of works are flooding it. If you don’t do something that is not exceptional you will be drowned in these floods. However, you also need a Charles Saatchi to become a Damien Hurst here.

13. Public art as an urbanization trend is picking up gradually in developing countries like India. What should be its aesthetic direction and dimensions? How the modern art can works literate common men's vision towards life and art?

I wrote an article recently titled A MASTERPIECE IN MY OPINION which discusses this aspect. Until it is published I cannot give you full details about it. A master piece is different from a decorative piece. A decorative piece can be a thing of beauty & can give you temporary joy. If artists want to enjoy by drawing a few lines & painting various patterns, the resultant work becomes only a decorative piece. On the other hand a masterpiece that originates from the depths of a tortured soul that reached a state of enlightenment gives permanent relief from the painful experiences by explaining the philosophy of life. It strengthens our minds. Only a few enlightened artists can create master pieces that can help the society.

14. What is your assessment about the recent boost in art market of the world? Has this trend negatively influence artists or the orientation of contemporary art.

Yes, quantity is being given importance & quality is being ignored. This is a bubble that will burst one day - in fact it already has to some extent due to recession. I am glad this recession has brought some sanity to the art markets. I wonder why just some names sell the works for millions of dollars even though the works attached to the names are just ordinary ones (I know this will ruffle some feathers).

15. How persons other than art field have inspired your work and who are the chief personalities of philosophical, intellectual, literary and allied fields who have contributed to the shaping of your creative orientation?

All strong minds always catch my imagination. Nobody in particular contributed to my creative orientation. Leonardo da Vinci & Rabindranath Tagore are my favourites though just because I am like them in a few things.
16. What in your opinion is the creative correlation between tradition and modernity? Have some of your works given an evidence of such a co-existence?

Yes, I tried to bring together religion & science in my works.
17. What is the meaning of being an Indian near you, when for the past so many decades you and your wife are staying permanently in a country like Canada? Do you sometimes miss India and for what reasons?

What?
18. What is the significance of being experimental while working multi-media?

Only when you experiment, you will get results – some of them can be good ones.
19. What is the latest that you are working on and when is your next solo/group show(s) scheduled and where?

Works based on Science & Philosophy. I just want to do one or two shows per year. I believe in quality & not quantity. da Vinci did only 12 major art works in his life time. And all of them are master pieces!

Place & time not decided yet.
20. Have you to say anything special on governmental patronage of fine arts, especially with reference to art institutions established for protection, Promotion and development of art and artists?

Yes, Government should do things that encourage new & upcoming artists.

Several artists complain that they spend a lot to create art works & organize shows. If they cannot sell their works, how will they live?

In olden days Kings & people from Royal families used to patronize art. Now Government should take their place.

21. Have you to say anything to budding and upcoming generation of new artists?

I tell myself this everyday: Just focus on your work. Don’t get discouraged or distracted by anything.



Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa