ABOUT THE ARTIST
Gokaran Singh
My paintings are not just an amalgamation of lines and colors. They are a product of my cognition, thought and emotions and my continuous creation on canvases. When fresh imagination, feelings and experiences mingle with the imagination and feelings accumulated in the crevices and fragments of my memory, new ideas emerge struggling within the personal and social milieu and dealing with dilemmas, skepticism, curiosity, emotions, ecstasy, likes and dislikes. Sometimes calm and silent, sometimes carefree and fragrant with a smile; the colors, lines and spaces of my paintings keep communicating with me all day long. And try to push me closer to those new, unsolved, romantic, known-unknown mysteries, which is indisputably present in this very universe. Closer to those elements lying somewhere among the tangible things around us, which are invisible, but which we can clearly sense. To two different parallel and corresponding worlds; one tangible, the other intangible; invisible and formless, but clearly discernible to our closed eyes. We communicate as much with the universe inside us as with the realities in the world around us. The world inside us has no language or shape. The moment they emerge as a script, they get fashioned into a painting. They assume a form.
Tales seeped in unknown colors and emotions packed with thrill, mystery, upheaval, restlessness and creative energy travel from within me and spill onto a canvas. Eager and striving to unravel something new. Raising curiosity. The unknown world is not in front of us, but we are able to see it, sense it. See that which lies behind the lids of our eyes; initiating never ending waves of conversation within us. So much is contained inside a human body; a complete parallel universe. At it’s on speed, on its own axis. When the universe inside meets with the universe outside, a wire gets drawn; and a living intrinsic painting is created.
An unknown journey, a journey filled with unidentified restlessness carries one to the world. A world that appears totally real. A world filled which numerous positive and negative desires. Partly translucent, partly blurred; packed at once with a strong desire to manifest, as also to forcibly suppress. So many times in this unknown journey of creating canvases, have I felt that I am treading in the dark. It’s a different issue that there is light concealed in the darkness, which each artist has to find for themselves, find it with their sincere sensitivities and their individual thought process. At each new step, with each new attempt, in my quest to create something original, something different I confront each new painting with questions. What is good in this creation? How is it different from the others? What does this painting stand for? The process of creation, I feel, and then turn me in towards my soul. I try to etch onto the panel of my canvas, the same elements, the same colors, the same forms, the same emotions that lie inside the soul. For which there is no pre-decided formula of forms and colors. They may come in any form, in any color. My hands connect with my soul. The brush between my fingers, the emotions cruising between mind and body, the rhythm between thoughts and breath, align and a wonderful painting emerges. For this it is important that one becomes an artist with their whole body, mind and life.
After our point of time our worldviews – the way we look at creation, how we perceive and think; begin to develop. And then we begin to choose materials and subjects which leave a mark on us and which are woven into our souls. In the beginning when we begin to explore the ways and mysteries of the world, we like all the things that come our way. As our introspections refine, we probably are able to understand ourselves better. The more we understand ourselves, the more we become clear with our ideas, perceptions, sensations and imaginations, and are able to dive deep into our souls and contemplate on ourselves and issues. For me paintings are definitely a prayer and a contemplation. But many a time even we do not know what we want, why we are restless; and wants to precipitate like a cloud within us. And then the body, mind, time, everything wants to create. As I am better able to understand thoughts, expressions and perceptions, as experiences become enriched, it seems as if I am able to continuously unravel many new creations, new worlds and new forms, and these begin to take shape on my canvas like a wonderland. I am still eager to explore and internalize greater depths those thoughts and elements that draw closer to the divine perception or absolute power, which is not only a mystical power but also a painter who has crafted an exquisite painting. When our inner self begins to blossom in the light of knowledge and spirituality, the worldly and transcendent seems to merge and form transcends into formless.
Painting is not an object for me. It is surrender, it is devotion, it is faith. It steers me to dwell in the depths of my soul. Painting connects me to hidden and buried subtle emotions and to feelings which are at the core of poetry and lyricism and helps me strive to create a beautiful and meaningful world where feelings, soul and experience dissolve into one; and the mysterious and spiritual universe take miniature shapes in a simple, beautiful and quiet emotion, I make a humble attempt.
The enormous mysteries, wilderness and darkness of our inner self match the enormous mysteries and wilderness of the universe. We cannot fathom the extent of this mysteries, wilderness and darkness. On the other hand extreme loneliness and sadness encompasses human life. And life is steeped with hate and violence. Therefore the paintings are an attempt to coalesce the imaginary world and create something new. Enormous fears, cruelty and restlessness prey on the human mind. I endeavor to merge these forms on canvas and the curiosity and aspiration take a step towards love, nonviolence, dedication and mystery; illuminated by absolute truth.
SOLO EXHIBITION
2021 The Other Side: A Blank Journey (Online), Pancha Rothi, The International Artist Group of India, Kolkata
2021 Known Unknown (Online), Dom Polonijny, Wroclaw, Poland
2021 Between Times (Online), Art Beats Foundation, Pune
2012 A Song Unending, Orisssa Modern Art Gallery, Bhubaneswar
2006 Feminism Within, Canvas Art Gallery, Delhi
2001 Shades of Life, Nirala Art Gallery, Allahabad
GROUP EXHIBITION
2021 Invisible (Online), J.S. Art Gallery, Mumbai
2020 For The Kisan (Online), White Rose, Kochi
2020 Specters of Mahatama (Online), White Rose, Kochi
2019 Dhanbad Art Fair, Dhanbad
2019 Stabdhika, NGMA, New Delhi
2018 Paripakva, Kala Dham, Greater Noida
2018 Sangam Kala Exhibition, Noida Lok Manch
2018 National Art Exhibition, Vidya Institute of Fashion Technology, Meerut
2018 Art Life Gallery, Noida
2018 White Canvas Gallery, Jaipur
2015 Akar Prakar, Rabindra Nath Kala Dirgha, Nagpur
2014 Index, MMRA Ground, Mumbai
2012 Resonance, Kala Mitra Art Galley, Noida
2012 Visual Dialogue, Art Life Gallery, Noida
2012 Euphoric, Asian Academi of Film and Television, Film City, Noida
2008 Mukta Bodh, Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, Delhi
2008 Fusion, Art Link Gallery, Gurgaon
2008 Reverberations, Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, Delhi
2008 Aspirations, The Epicentre, Apparel House, Gurgaon
2008 Windows of Hope, Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, Delhi
2007 Anusmruti, Rabindra Nath Kala Dirgha, Nagpur
2007 Feminism, Canvas Art Gallery, Delhi
2007 Women Artist Exhibition, Studio Vasant, Delhi
2007 Guernica To Nithari, Canvas Art Gallery, Delhi
2007 Summer Art Show, Lalit Kala Akademi, Delhi
2007 Budh Mudra, Canvas Art Gallery, Delhi
2006 Anusmruti, Rabindra Nath Kala Dirgha, Nagpur
2006 Summer Art Show, Lalit Kala Akademi, Delhi
2006 Anusmruti, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur
2002 Contemporary Art Show, Allahabad Museum, Allahabad
2000 Triveni Kala Mahotsava, NCZCC, Allahabad
1999 Mural Painting Exhibition, NCZCC Allahabad
1998 Kala Mela, NCZCC Allahabad
1995 Abhiruchi, Women’s Artist Exhibition, Allahabad Museum, Allahabad
PARTICIPATION
2006 Annual Art Exhibition, AIFACS, Delhi
2004 25th Annual Art Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, Lucknow
2000 22nd Annual Art Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, Lucknow
1998 Regional Art Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, Lucknow
INTERVIEWS
Renowned Graphics Artist Shyam Sharma
Hindi writer Raji Seth & many articles in Magazines & Newspapers
PUBLICATION
‘Jis Tarah Ghulti Hai Kaya’ (Kavita Sangrah published by Bhartiya Jnanpith, 2009)
'Samay Ke Chehre Par' (Kavita Sangrah published by shilpayan Publication, Dehi, 2015)
2 Kavita Sangrah under pulication
Many poems, book covers and sketches published in various Magazines like Yuva Samvad, Hans, Naya Gyanodaya, Kathadesh, Vaagarth, Indraprastha Bharti, Pakhi, Sakshatkar, Abhipray, Uttar Pradesh, Aajkal, Sahitya Amrit, Vartmaan Sahitya, Itihaasbodh, Sanchetana, Doaaba, Hindi (English Magazine) etc.
Few poems translated in English & Kannad also.
COLLECTION
NCZCC, ALLAHABAD
SCZCC, NAGPUR
Harish Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad
Canvas Art Gallery, Delhi
Art Link Gallery, Gurgaon
Studio Vasant, Delhi
TMZ Group, Delhi
Private collections in India, UK, USA, KSA, Dubai etc.