Looking beyond obvious

Pankaj Gupta is Lucknow’s eminent painter whose work has truly depicted the aspiration of the city and its people. It is difficult to assign a genre to Pankaj’s paintings. Each frame springs up a new surprise. Vibrant colors, fine lines almost resembling carvings and lithographs, sometimes whirlpool of aqua and pastel shades and sometimes inspired by folk arts. Pen work or ink work strikes one as his expertise.

What is important is that his paintings are never untitled. He paints about issues closer to his heart.

Several of his paintings related to social issues are displayed all across the country and have won him appreciation and recognition.

 Pankaj’s paintings on HIV awareness, protecting girl child (vasudha), victims of Tsunami (the blue fire), for autistic children, LGBT rights (manthan mann ki uljhan),  plight of widows of Benaras and the rich heritage of Lucknow (ateet ke ghungroo) have received recognition throughout the nation and abroad. Pankaj has also had solo exhibitions in South Africa, Germany and Dubai.

How did the journey begin? In the days when art was not considered as a profession was it a difficult? Pankaj says right from the beginning he had no doubt in his mind even in the childhood that he wanted to be an artist. I looked at life with a perspective that others could not. “People thought I was odd to pursue a profession which then had a limited scope but I was determined. My father opposed but my mother stood by  and encouraged me.” Pankaj trained himself spending hours learning about shades and effects created by his imagination and the palette. In 2004, he had his first solo exhibition in Lucknow. The theme of this exhibition was ‘Life in Rajasthan.’

When asked how he chooses his theme, Pankaj says that it is a meditative process. “From hundreds of thoughts crossing one’s mind one chooses a theme just like one explores the deep sea to draw out the pearls.

 “I am inspired by nature, ceremonial rituals, people in relation to their culture and environment. The primary focus of my work is to create awareness. My paintings speak on issues and subjects that people see but are shy, indifferent or afraid to voice.

Pankaj draws inspiration from life, from its myriad aspects both beautiful and jarring. “I take immense pleasure in celebrating cultural differences. Like I mentioned earlier, portraying social issues on the canvas, the fact that I can in some way bring awareness and change inspires me,” he says.

For beginners, Pankaj has a piece of advice, “The quality of an artist, his temperament, his perception to look beyond the obvious is inborn. It is a gift of the Almighty. It cannot be acquired. Though it is an out of the box profession, if you are good you will also get recognition and monetary benefits. Once you have decided to make art your career, there are many good courses to opt from.”

Apart from painting, Pankaj is a skilled sculptor, ardent gardener who delights in nurturing bonsai plants, social activist and a writer. He calls himself a communicator who shows the mirror to the society.

When asked whether he rates himself as a successful painter, he says, “If the artist paints and the viewer perceives it with the same eye, the purpose of art is accomplished. I think I have achieved it, so I am successful!”