Chandra Bhattacharjee
Biography:
Born in Patuli, West Bengal, in 1961, Chandra Bhattacharjee is a contemporary Indian artist known for his contemplative style. He graduated from the Indian College of Art and Draftsmanship in Kolkata in 1986 and received his M.F.A from Kala Bhavan, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan (1989). His meditative and abstract painting style relies on symbolism and minimalism and serves as a bridge between the material and the spiritual.
Chandra Bhattacharjee's compositions are intense, inspired by rustic themes, re-creating the subtle layers of nature. His use of the cross-hatching technique offers a sense of depth to his muted yet vibrant coloured canvases. The canvases of Chandra Bhattacharjee exude softened tones and hues, merging the mundane and the spiritual.
The myriad stories he paints on his canvas display the co-existence of humans, animals, and numerous other creatures, allowing the spectator to build their own intricate stories. Far removed from the urban world, his paintings depict an otherworldly realm unaffected by the madness of the urban society. He focuses on the cross-hatching method (a technique used in pencil drawings) in black above colour to add depth to his colours. Chandra's compositions are inspired by his associations with the Santhal tribe in Kolkata. His textural quality of paintings clearly exhibits the mud walls of the villages and rural life.
Chandra has held 20 solo exhibitions in various cities across India, including 'Santiniketan' and 'Veins of the Earth' in 2023 and Night Forest in 2020 at Art Alive Gallery, A 'Skyful of Chains', Galerie 88, in 2015, 'Wired', Gallery Veda in 2012, 'Visual Diary' at Galerie 88 in 2010, 'Aeons Visible' at Galerie 88 in 2008, 'Indelibilities' at Palette Art Gallery and The Gallery on Cork Street, London hosted by Gallery Threshold in 2007, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2005, Apparao Galleries, Chennai in 1998 among many others.
He has participated in many national and international workshops and curated group expositions. His latest group participations include the 'India Art Fair', 'The Politics of Paper', EmamiArt, Kolkata (2022); The Dark Side of the Moon, AM & Gallery 1000A, Delhi, in 2022, 'Hub India, Classical Radical', a tripate museum show, Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti, Turin, Italy and 'Fluid Realities', Art Alive at Bikaner House, New Delhi (2021), India at 70, Bangkok Arts & Culture Center and Chulalongkom in 2017, Art Now at Art Alive, Mumbai in 2016, Just One! Artco Galerie GmbH, Germany in 2012, 'XIth Triennale', India and '10th Harmony Show', Mumbai (2005); 'Indian Contemporary Art', U.K.; 'Lalit Kala Akademi', New Delhi; 'Water Colour show', Kolkata; 'A Journey', Mumbai; 'New Paradigms-II', Threshold Art Gallery (2004), New Delhi during the last few years.
Chandra was invited as a resident artist at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in November 2019. His works have been part of auctions held by Art for Humanity, Art Chennai, Emami Chisel, Bonhams, Apparaoart and Saffronart. In 1986, he was awarded a gold medal from Rabindra Bharati University for his artistic excellence and also received the Taj Gaurav award in 2008.
He lives and works in Kolkata.