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Artist Profile

Childhood

and

Srinjoy Gangopadhyay was born into Utopia
a family of artists in Kolkata, India.
His father was a very popular illustrator
and studio artist, and as a child, Srinjoy was filled with Hindu and Buddhist mythological stories in the world, made me aware of the contradictions
surrounded by paint, paper, canvas, and and religious art. The books on ancient Indian Art between Utopia and reality,” he admits. “This, in turn,
the smell of oil paint. His father’s studio had fascinated Srinjoy, especially the amazing monumental made me interested in exploring ‘Utopia’ in my art.” To do
books and catalogs about many artists— with a brush in his hand, painting right next to him. After murals in the Ajanta Caves. He this, he is influenced by the
ranging from the great masters of Renaissance Art to a while, Srinjoy asked his father for “that brush” he was also read graphic novels like visual language of “Pop” and
Modern Art and the Surrealists. “From a very young age,” painting with. “I thought it was the brush that made all the “Amar Chitra Katha” series, Urban Art: internet memes,
he says, “I would turn the pages and immerse myself in the difference!” with its stories from the worlds colorful vintage Bollywood
the ocean of paintings they showed.” Later, he read about of mythological Hindu and billboards, Dada collages,
many artists’ lives and their artistic journeys. Srinjoy’s uncle, who was into advertising and graphic
design, used to play a game with him. He would draw a Buddhist Gods, as well as Marvel and street art/graffiti culture.
On his first day of school, Srinjoy came home and made few lines on a blank piece of paper; then he’d challenge and DC comics. In his “ICON” series
drawings of the school, his new friends, parents, and cars. Srinjoy to draw something that incorporated those In his current art practice, of paintings, he uses
His father was very enthusiastic about his early creations: lines—filling in the blanks to finish the drawing. It he has focused on the theme of popular images of famous
He framed a few of Srinjoy’s drawings to hang in the was Srinjoy’s favorite game. In addition to visiting art “Utopia,” or a perfect world. He personalities; he reinterprets
family home. There was no shortage of art materials in exhibitions, he also got to meet many of his father’s has always been drawn to images how these personalities
their house, and Srinjoy was lucky to play with them. famous artist friends. His childhood was not only filled and stories of utopias. Srinjoy are generally seen, placing
“When I played with my clay, my father would select one with art but also with an understanding of the larger says, “Perhaps seeing my father celebrities such as Marilyn
of the figures from my crazy mess and announce that “art world.” He says, “I believed that I was born to be an as a successful artist, as well as Monroe and characters such
it was a masterpiece.” Srinjoy’s father would display the artist and that I belonged in the art world,” Srinjoy says. reading about and seeing the as Mickey Mouse in stories
clay figure in a showcase in their house, alongside his Eventually, he made art his career. works of the greatest artists in where we wouldn’t expect to
collection of artifacts from around the world.
Srinjoy’s father never imposed any rules or guidelines on history, gave me a utopian image see them. When the unique
Srinjoy also spent many evenings with his father visiting him to paint in a particular way. He inspired Srinjoy to of the art world.” And of course, digital collage is created,
the studios of artisans and potters. Srinjoy says, “On these be intuitive and to find his own creative expression. As he adds, Bollywood movies and Srinjoy incorporates it into
magical evenings, I would explore the amazing artworks a result, Srinjoy believed that he could somehow create the huge, colorful, hand-painted his painting. In this way, the
that were being made. I can still smell the clay in those his own new kind of artistic technique. He was always billboards for them could look like utopias, too. “ICON” collection helps us to see the world differently—
studios and see the artists’ tools scattered everywhere.” very fond of collaging and assemblage. Another favorite Utopias can be inspiring models of hope. As Srinjoy got just as Srinjoy’s early experiences with art helped him to
When he was really young, Srinjoy would often invade was scribbling on printed images from newspapers or older, he learned that utopias can’t always be achieved. create a world all his own.
his father’s studio when he was busy painting, and sit magazines to create a new image. His childhood was “Confronting the failed utopias in my personal life, and