In Mukherjee's work, we see the Bengal
School strong figurative tradition being carried ahead
and interpreted in a very contemporary idiom. Mukherjee
says he loves to travel alone in new places on buses
and trains since, "Most of my inspiration comes
from observing people." It's not surprising that
every figure in his body of works has a separate and
interesting story to tell. Most of the people Mukherjee
paints are performers of some type, putting on an act
for everyone else - something all of us do everyday
of our lives. Mukherjee's figures are dressed in the
bright, almost gaudy orange, red and green costumes
that street performers wear, but their eyes are gazing
and drawn, their faces almost cartoon like and their
fingers podgy, making the irony and pathos that surrounds
them extremely evident. For one of his recent shows
in Mumbai, the artist decided to use beggars and street
vendors as the subject of his works, essaying their
pitiable condition in his trademark style.
The artist also likes to focus on the fact that each
individual has a great deal in common with every other
one. This is why he paints people in pairs or larger
groups, highlighting that though they are physically
separate and unlike each other, there is no real difference
between their characters and behaviours.
Mukherjee's favourite medium is reverse oil or acrylic
painting on transparent acrylic sheets, and he swears
that although he may change his themes and subjects,
inventing new ones for new shows, he will never give
up painting in this medium. Although Mukherjee loves
to paint, he says he has many other hobbies. He teaches
children in his spare time, and says that he learns
more from them than they realize. He also collects rural
artworks and the crafts of Bengali artisans.
With several honors and awards to his credit, he has
participated in various exhibitions and workshops in
India .
His works are in collections all over the world.
He is a life member of The Bombay Art Society.
A special mention about the artists working acclaim
rests in his acrylic sheets with both sides comprising
his paintings
back |
