Creative and passionate, Aloke T Bhowmick manifests all the expected characteristics of an accomplished artist. However, in what sets him apart, the painter/ sculptor approaches his work with the scientific acumen of a researcher. ‘The Human Mind’ is the subject that Bhowmick keeps focusing on his work.
His pursuit of a theme as intricate and elusive has put him on a road of seemingly endless study, observation and experimentation. For many years now, he has been learning sciences like palmistry, astrology, human anatomy and behavioural science and gathering observation-led primary information to comprehend the subtle interplay of character and actions.
Talking to The Pioneer on a bright January morning, Bhowmick who heads the Art & Media School of The Doon School said delving into the riddle of mind is his obsession. “I am striving to catch the drift of the subjective/psychological conundrum in its myriad dimensions,” shared Bhowmick. Educated at Santiniketan, founded by Rabindranath Tagore, the artist, who is also the vice-president of Doon Art Society, had initially wanted to be a scientist.
He realised later that what he had dabbled in as a hobby since his childhood was destined to turn his profession. Thus began his professional foray in art. On why he chose to work in schools, he stated, “In my youth my mentor advised me to join a school since I would get sufficient leisure to do my painting.”
But there is a lot more to his career heading the art departments of prestigious schools has given to him. “It is worrisome that in India, the focus is on developing logical and physical health of children while neglecting creativity. I have realised how important it is to teach real art at schools and how our education system is unconcerned about it. However, art devoid of soul is craft.”
In keeping with his thinking, Bhowmick has introduced key changes in the art curriculum of The Doon School, an attempt that he believes will mainstream understanding and appreciation of art instead of letting it be an optional subject attracting only a few. Art as a subject has thus been made compulsory for all students in the first two years at The Doon School.
Passing in arts has been made mandatory like in other core subjects like English and Mathematics. Also, the entire art department has been revamped to bring it at par with the best in the world. “The new Art & Media School is a sophisticated and elaborate center. Research has been included as an integral part of the art curriculum. It is progressive, based as it is on my vision of the future of art in 2050,” he informed.
As the conversation wound to his work as a professional artist, Bhowmick traced the changes post- globalisation and underscored that India is the future of international art market. Having sold over 3,000 paintings in several countries, the award- winning artist stressed that Modi Government must build an aesthetically beautiful ‘Art City’ among the 100 Smart Cities it has promised much on the line of Paris. Closing the rendezvous, the artist evoked Picasso about how ‘art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.’