Madhuchanda Majumdar brings her Invisible lands to the capital for the first time. She tells Iknoor Kaur that most of her works depict a world that is imaginary for others and real for her
When Madhuchanda Majumdar was five years old, she knew she wanted to become an artist and 34 years down the line, there hasn’t been a day she hasn’t painted. Her first ongoing exhibition in the capital, Invisible lands, is a part of her imaginary world depicting empty landscapes and crowded cityscapes in colours representing her moods.
She explained, “I want to show nature but in a different way. My paintings are imaginary landscapes which I try to show through colours, shapes and forms. For example, a form that represents a building can also represent an old street or the end of night.”
Madhuchanda’s paintings capture the process of destruction and regeneration. According to her, they also illustrate hope. She said, “We always have to design our lives in a new way and what nature conveys that with the new life what must come is hope.”
The old city of Kolkata has been a huge inspiration for the 39-year-old artist. “It is an old and beautiful city. Big palaces and ancient buildings attract me a lot. I have lived in Kolkata all my life. The city is sub-consciously a part of my thought process. When I see people with their families in the city — happy and content — it moves me. That is why the city will always be so important to me,” she elaborated.
Even though most of Madhu’s paintings look similar in the flow, each has a unique thought behind it. She shared, “Thoughts come automatically and once a thought is put onto the canvas, it doesn’t come again. New things always come in a fresh mind and for me my mind is never fresh unless the root of the previous thought is removed. New ideas are described through textures and the colour scheme. I don’t think I will ever be able to repeat any of my work even if I want to.”
Madhu was the first Indian to be selected by the Fondazione Pastificio Cerere, Rome, for an art residency. She has also been to different parts of the world to exhibit her works. She said that her art can be interpreted in all parts of the world because her subjects are so global. “I always try to make something that is universally relevant. Since it is a fantasy world, anyone in the world can relate to it,” she added.
She feels that India has made a mark in the world art forum. “India has a strong history in art and our artists are big names in the world. Contemporary artists are following the age-old legends, but there is an international approach now, which is good,” she said. The exhibition, which has been organised by the Calcutta Arts Club, will be on display till September 8 at the All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society.