Your worked extensively for the series “Towards the Unknown Destiny”. What is this series about?
Towards the Unknown Destiny, comprises of 10 works. Showing images of a morphed human being in various diving postures. I have added tails and fins to the figure giving it a sort of dolphin like appearance. My intention was to depict how adaptable the human being is. How he can change himself according to any...

Your worked extensively for the series “Towards the Unknown Destiny”. What is this series about?
Towards the Unknown Destiny, comprises of 10 works. Showing images of a morphed human being in various diving postures. I have added tails and fins to the figure giving it a sort of dolphin like appearance. My intention was to depict how adaptable the human being is. How he can change himself according to any situation, be it swimming or jumping like a dolphin, especially something that is a new experience, an unexplored territory. The title “Unknown Destiny” is an actual fact of life. One does not know where he is going to land or reach or even achieve after taking the plunge into anything new or different. The reference of these works was taken from an image, which I distorted. There is a sort of sequence to the works pertaining to the sequence of movements. An earlier work in the series will show the man jumping or taking off and the next will show him mid air.
I am fond of painting actions as in sports etc. This tendency occurs in my painting. It helps me to create a new body language.

This series is in watercolours. Are you moving away from your preferred media of acrylic?
No, I do work more in acrylic. I have used watercolour after a long time. But I do plan to do more watercolours also.

This is your latest body of work?
Yes.

What is your current ongoing work about?
I am continuing with this ideology but am working with acrylic on canvas.

You have been working with photo-realism visuals for a while now. Where is the progress being made? And does the transferring of images directly onto the canvas still continue?
No, transferring the image is not something I have continued to do. It was an initial step, which over time saw a shift. Though I begun using this technique I felt it was too photographic. I felt the need to develop my own distinctive individual style. While the concept already preoccupies my mind, the imagery follows. Though I do begin my work with references from photo images, which inspire me, I distort and change the images using Photoshop till I reach the desired image I create a layout of my painting before I begin on the canvas. Though, many a times, eventually the final outcome often differs from the planned layout.

And what about spontaneity?
Though I have a preconceived idea in my mind, there is a lot of room for spontaneous change, be it in terms of changing adding or removing images, or in the use of colour. With each work there is a new discovery and experience, which is incorporated in my work.

An element of fantasy is a constant in your works, Please comment.
This element of fantasy is related to my desires and emotions. This is very relevant and always omnipresent in my painting. It is suggestive of which I cannot do and what is not possible in reality, but the desire to make these impossible things true is what makes me paint in this way.

Your fondness of nature is also seen in your earlier works. Is that feeling still there?
That liking is still there. It comes naturally. It may be more obvious in some works and not in others.

Do you find the need to retain a certain personal style of painting?
As a person I am attracted to several new things. I like to experiment. I am also very conscious that I do not want to be stuck in a mould. I fear it would hamper my work and my own growth as well.

How do you search for your images?
I normally have an idea of what type of image I need before I begin searching. I also work on imagery of the self, which would involve me to photograph an image before going ahead.

While painting what issues concern you in terms of subject matter?
I react and relate with things happening around me, it could be anywhere in the world. It could be either political or non-political issues.

Why does the human form remain a constant in all your work?
Though sometimes I paint natural surrounding and objects, the human figure and form is my predominant concern

Would you call you works autobiographical?
My painting is not such a personal depiction of my life like one’s diary. The subject could be a general reference to mankind as a whole also.

You are inspired by………
The people whom I like and admire inspire me. My favourite Indian contemporary artist is Atul Dodiya and Baroda based artist are Anandjit Ray, Surendran Nair and Natraj Sharma in the senior category. And the younger Baroda artists – Abir Karmarkar, Alok Bal and many more, impress me. Music and film also play a major inspirational role. The unique and unusual makes an impression.
You are influenced by………
Nothing or no one directly.

Do you feel strongly that the student generation of artists is seeking a fast track to success?
Any young artist aims for success but more than them chasing it, the fast track has started chasing and looking for them. This is the way of the present art scene. From a personal point of view I feel that if one faces challenges and struggle initially, it pays off in developing ones character.

Where do you see yourself in the next couple of years?
Now I am no longer insecure work wise. Something, which I felt earlier. I am aware of my capabilities and myself yet I am not so confident to assume that I am reaching perfection. I do want to be more confident and at ease with my work and myself. That is a stage, which I would eventually like to reach. It may be a journey of 5 years or even a lifetime.

Interview by Arati Desai