Sanju Jain creates abstract forms from paper pulp. She spoke to Karan Bhardwaj about drawing inspiration from ancient methods
You might consider paper pulp a raw material, but for artist Sanju Jain, it is her inspiration, basis of “atta” work, and a “medium” that drives her imagination. Born in Bhopal, the artist puts the pulp directly on canvas, turning it into a unique artwork. At Artspeaks India, Jain has displayed her creations in a show titled Pulp Fiction. “During my days in Bhopal, I saw villagers used to store wheat in gunny bags made of paper pulp which gave me an inspiration and idea to use the same in my work. It is derived from ancient times of India and the method is also the same. The paper is soaked in water and the paper pulp is used for different purposes. My inspiration and theme has always been to mix new and old trends,” she said. Jain draws abstracts, drawing inspiration from real lives. Each of her work narrates a story. Yatra is about aim, life and journey. Aabhaas is transparency. “In my work, I always try to incorporate transparency as to every colour will be reflected separately, whatever you are talking or showing it should be transparent,” she informed.
Jain calls paper pulp “atta” the dough for making the Indian bread, roti. Once she learned the technique of making paper pulp, instead of making independent works out of it, she felt like using them directly on the canvas. The very pasting of pulp on canvas was a thrilling experience for her as the movement of hands facilitated the evolution of different forms and textures. She started it off as a play and felt sheer enjoyment, the textural feel of the manifested images led the artist into a different world of aesthetic feel. “It was performative, interactive and meditative at the same time,” she said. According to her the play with pulp has been giving satisfaction that could come from fondling certain lovable objects.
What is the viability of such art work (paper pulp)IJ “The only risk involved is that it should not fall from a height and also no rubbing should be there as it will hamper the quality of the artwork. The art lovers has appreciated the use of colours, it is bright and impressive. The work and colours used is like transforming from day to night and night to day. I am a very soft person and my nature is displayed in my work,” she said. As a young girl, Jain never painted a scene nor drew a picture. It was in college for the first time she was introduced to fine arts. Doodling suddenly became a passion and materials an obsession.
Abstract art was there in the air at Indore, where she did her graduation, but she was not particularly interested in abstracts. Scribbling and doodling took her to qualities of various pictorial surfaces and finally she found out her favourite medium: paper pulp, oil and acrylic paints. “When I paint, new forms emerge and I like to play around with the forms. The colours in my paintings are the colours I see around me — in nature: the flowers, the sky the night and the day,” she said.