Art can be a social commentary lending its vibrant canvas to highlight various issues around us – some in stark shades while others subtly coated in satire.
But in the recent past, the spotlight has been on the common man or woman. It is a reflection of the middle class. There is an imperceptible shift towards the day-to-day chores and the business of life.
S. Nataraj, who documents the common man – capturing his aspirations and dreams, says, “I am preoccupied by my social surrounding which surprises me with every day events and issues. My art exaggerates those small dreams and desires of people and their social situations.”
The artist’s clever use of satire is evident in the colourful narrative. Nataraj says that he is inspired by the miniature style of painting as it adds an Indian element to his art.
Delhi-based artist Gautam Bhatia’s Adam and Eve series is also a reflection of the Indian middle class. The canvas depicts the first man and woman in a series of common situations — like watching television or having dinner.
Adam and Eve are symbolic of the middle class today. “Adam and Eve were the first humans who didn’t have to struggle for the good life. The middle class is like Adam and Eve — there is no struggle. They stay away from the realities of India, in a cloistered life in their homes and hearths — eating, sleeping and being entertained,” he says.
Artist Latha G., meanwhile, confesses that her series on women is drawn from her personal experience, exploring the spatial angle of relationships and individualism. “Being a woman, I have seen myself in a position where you can’t take time out for yourself. In my paintings, In her dreams and In her world, I’ve explored this subject.
“Most women don’t get a chance to be their own selves or get that personal space. Women are bogged down by the many roles they play. I think that women should have some time for themselves to do something that they truly enjoy. I felt that need in me as a person,” she says.
