Arun Bain

How has your work progressed over time?
After my education in Kolkata, I was in search for something more. I wanted to do something different and felt the need to go somewhere out of Kolkata, regardless of the place. I didn’t know what Baroda was like and I think that was even more appealing. The difference, which Baroda offered, was very enticing and compelling. I had a whole set of questions in my mind even...

How has your work progressed over time?
After my education in Kolkata, I was in search for something more. I wanted to do something different and felt the need to go somewhere out of Kolkata, regardless of the place. I didn’t know what Baroda was like and I think that was even more appealing. The difference, which Baroda offered, was very enticing and compelling. I had a whole set of questions in my mind even before I came to this new city like who am I? , Why am I who I am and where do I fit in this larger framework of life? So began my trip firstly for the questions and then for their responses. My work is more subjective and related to these inquiries that continuously keep coming back to me. As I grew as an artist and as a person, I slowly started getting my answers. The society around me, the people I interacted with on a daily basis, all became a part of my existence and the realization of my very being in a true sense began to take form on my canvas. My work is a perception of this truth. It was through art that I found a means to express myself, to portray the world as I see and know it.

My philosophy is based on analyzing everyday situations and life and how I fit into the whole picture. I wanted to give myself time, knowing that everything, any progress or growth, mental or aesthetic, comes subsequently. There are no short cuts. And with the passage of time, I developed my own way of thinking, philosophy as well as style of painting. There is no difference between my work and me. My art is just a physical materialization of the person I am.

My earlier works were more concentrated on the queries I had from life. They were a representation of my journey of searching. Currently my painting is more introspective. The journey now has become one of answers. I don’t claim to know it all but the clarity of thought prevails.

This preoccupation with the lone man.... how long has this been the primal force in your work?
Actual ever since I started working in the visual media. Not only is this figure autobiographical but also he is a symbol of all mankind. A representation of the human presence, survival and his life. Eventually every man is held by his own conscious and in a way he lives his own life on his own. There are factors, that mould him on the way but his walk through life is a lone journey. Though this figure is the center of my work you will see other images like auto rickshaws, other people etc which coexist with him. A single man on his own does not have any existence without the society he lives in.

The black pattern, which covers the man’s figure, represents....
This image is a decorative pattern related to man and his attitudes. As man is carried by history and he has a certain amount of baggage with him that is reflective of this and of mans ability to retain certain attitudes and to feel emotions related to his surroundings. Finally, the flower is representational of the realization of ones thoughts. The beginning of a new journey.

You chose painting over Printmaking. Do you ever feel like working in graphics again?
Actually I don’t think so. From where I stay now printmaking doesn’t seem feasible. Though I do use the possibilities which printmaking offered in terms of techniques in my painting. This is actually more visible in the works I am currently doing.

You are presently working in acrylic.
I enjoy working with acrylic on canvas. There is a quality that allows one to play with the surface. As I work by integrating various thoughts and emotions to reach a climax in my work, I also employ several media in this process. I use a lot of dry pastel over the layers of acrylic and sometimes even charcoal to create a united whole. The cumulative effect coincides with the sentiments I am feeling at that time.

The future sees Arun Bain..
Well, I would love to also work with 3 dimensional sculptural forms. I also want to do some paper works. Make a film. Lots of things. Lets see what tomorrow holds.

Some of the major influences in your life and inspirations for your work...
People who I meet from various strata’s of society and different cultures influence the way I think and the way I am. I spend time talking to all types of people be it the chaiwala or the autowala. I enjoy getting down to the same sensibility of these people, for it is them along with friends and family make me what I am. The community we live in, its character and viewpoints are major influences in my life and work. Transitions come with time and this is reflected in the manner we choose to live our lives. Today’s life is under a drastic change with priorities changing. It is a type of renaissance and this creates a sort of void in the nature of human sensitivity and sensibility. This feeling of emptiness comes out in my work. Everyone is everywhere sometimes in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is again the essence of our existence.

As for inspiration, that would definitely be my father. He has been my ideal every since I was a child and still continues to inspire me.

A lot of Fine Arts students eventually settle down in Baroda on graduating. Why did you go back to Kolkata?
I was in Baroda for 5 years for my education. As I mentioned earlier, I came to Baroda for a very different reason. And the city proved to be a turning point in my life. Baroda helped me find the answers to the questions that had been with me for so long. After those 5 years I wanted to be in touch with my home, and myself so I felt the need to go back to Kolkata to grapple the actuality of my being. But the desire to keep returning to Baroda is so great that it draws me there at least once a year. I need to be in touch with people from home and also from Baroda and that is happening from Kolkata considering the hi-tech age we are living in.

Interview by Arati Desai