Anupama Jain

My career in art began serendipitously. As a singer suffering from a serious vocal cord injury, I turned to painting as a means of self-expression. It was a spontaneous process, resulting in a figurative style dominated by a vibrant use of colour. Pieces such as ‘The Flautist’ are typical of this period.
Later, the focus of my work shifted. Certain life experiences had forced me into an internal battle seeking a balance between emotions and logic that led me to the realm of spirituality. The work produced during ‘Equilibrium’ series is a subconscious reflection of my journey during this period. A characteristic example of work from this phase is ‘Aum to Aum - Cycle of Life’.
In 2009, an unfortunate event of my career left me upset and my mind was riddled with many questions. I could not connect to my work. Nothing seemed right. The frustration led me to rebel against any expectations or predefined rules. I wanted to break free and allowed myself to freely and impulsively assault 30 meters of canvas. ‘Catharsis’ was born, followed by the ‘Mind-Map’ series. I felt refreshed, but unfortunately not for long. It was the beginning of my struggle with depression that lasted for several years - and is a challenge I face even today, like...

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature – City College Kolkata, India