New York Art Life is committed to introducing artists who are inspiring others and changing the game of the art world. It is one of the most important things to be part of the art scene and to keep up with everything that is changing within it. We are very excited to introduce one of the great artists of our time. Aditi Hazra is a printmaker, painter, animator, and storyteller. She has been making it big in the art scene and all the eyes are on her works.
NY Art Life: Hello Aditi, it is great to speak to you. We are excited to ask about your life and your artistic view. I was so taken aback by your collection of gouache works, Derangement. How was your process for those pieces?
Aditi Hazra: Thank you, it means a lot to me. Derangement is a special collection to me that I completed this year. I created vibrant paintings with metallic leaves and gold mica flakes which narrated an abstract version of geographical changes. The collection also comes in three pieces within the same color palette. But I do plan to extend the series by working in other media.
NY Art Life: How fascinating! You have been part of many group shows, with two of them upcoming this year. I’d love for you to tell us about it. But I also loved your previous work such as the Diverse Visions group show at Therese A. Maloney Art Gallery and the Head to Art show which was a women’s group show in Bangalore, India. What was your vision for the pieces you included in those shows? And how does it feel to be part of a gallery opening?
Aditi Hazra: Those shows were very memorable. My paintings have always had messages and philosophical meanings behind them. It is even better to be part of a gallery that also has cause and purpose. My vision for my pieces was something beyond the visual, which is evident in my work.
I love color as much as I love charcoal and conte work (black and white). I work with abstractions and surrealism that bring images closer to reality, but not in an obvious way. And I want people to connect to my work emotionally instead of thinking of how it imitates reality. And of course, each person has their own unique perception and the way they interpret things they see on a canvas. I think that the different color palettes I use to bring out that response from the audience which makes them connect to my work, which is all I’m for.
When I did those two group shows in Charcoal works, away from my usual vibrant color work, it felt amazing to be part of something so big. I loved working with the galleries and being shown among so many other great artists. It always inspires me to see my paintings hung up on a wall next to artists I admire. The women’s group show was also great because it had so much representation and the diversity of the works was incredible. It is definitely something I’d love to do again or something I’d encourage others to take part of.
NY Art Life: That is beautiful. You’ve had great success and the press is constantly covering your work as it inspires many others. You were also part of Print Austin: Print Expo and other great workshops with deep causes such as Art Sunday in the Park which somebody dedicated to veterans of Bangalore.. What is your takeaway from workshops and why do you think it is important for artists to be active in these environments?
Aditi Hazra: Thank you for your kind words, it truly means a lot. I always try to do a workshop because of how valuable it is to learn from other artists’ techniques and to share the things you know with others. I also believe in connecting with other artists, which means seeing their work, having a conversation about their process and how they see the world, and also deepening that connection by collaborating or bumping into them again in the future.
We always make these opportunities possible within workshops. The first workshop you mentioned is a printmaking workshop which is very intense but rewarding. The other great thing about workshops is that I become fully immersed in the experience. I create a large bod of work within a small amount of time. The number doesn’t matter, but the way the pieces correspond to each other and complement each other as a whole is really beautiful.
NY Art Life: Wonderful. You have two upcoming exhibitions that we are all so excited about. One is called Our Bodies, Our Choice, Our Voice for the Duke & Duck in Washington D.C. And you have another one upcoming in Baltimore this month which is. 20 X 21 Exhibition (a group show) organized by MICA- both in the month of October. Also, you recently exhibited two time-based videos at :iidrr x interact Studio – part of their Body, Embodiment, and Digital Self, here in New York City! You have us so psyched and we cannot wait to see the work. Tell us about the pieces you will be presenting. Surely, we’d love to see them in person but we just can’t wait and want to know more about it.
Aditi Hazra: Oh thank you for your kind words. :iidrr x interact Studio showcased two of my time-based experimental videos – Let’s Dance and ASMR: How Art Thou? The exhibition was well received and had a great opening.
Next, The 20 X 21 exhibition will have paintings I’ve been working on for a long time Endless Dance. It’s rewarding to have them in an exhibition where people can see them up close instead of on the internet because art is truly meant to be seen in real life. And the Our Bodies, Our Choice, Our Voice will be a time-based video, an experimental animation, where I will be using handpainted paper cutouts in figurative elements inspired by Indian goddesses and speaks about reproductive access and rights.
I love the way people respond to it. One of the greatest things is how empowering it is to women and how much they connect to it. Because of that, exhibitions and galleries tie the connection between my perception and my vision to the greater message behind it, which is empowerment and freedom for women. It is an important thing to always fight for, and to be actively making art about it makes me feel proud. I’m very excited for you to see my work this month, it will be on view in October.
NY Art Life: We are equally thrilled. You are a true role model. Shall we end on that note?
Aditi Hazra: Yes, thank you.
