Artist Statement
My art has always been an interesting journey of self-exploration, which has immensely helped me to learn and gain experiences about life. I feel my drawings in charcoal and graphite is my strength where I could easily express myself with confidence. I have discovered that my work has always been a mirror image of my internal and external environment. Being firmly rooted with the culture and traditions of India, my work replicates the values of narrative art which reflects the influence of my immediate environment and how it touches my own internal world. My previous body of work is based on Indian Aesthetics- ‘Nine Rasas’ (essence/juice) – detailed analysis inspired me to create different human moods through my interpretation.
My art encompasses profound belief that spirituality and creativity are intertwined. This belief stems the foundation of my current research work, which is the Buddhist concept of “Ten Worlds” – ten life states that a person experiences in his or her life. From lowest to highest, these ten worlds are hell, hunger, animality, anger, humanity, rapture, learning, realization, bodhisattvas, and Buddhahood.
To comprehend such multifaceted concept, I constricted my palate to grayscale and sanguine. Charcoal medium aids in articulation of the “Ten Worlds,” while sanguine enhances the contrast of grayscale and holds significance to my cultural beliefs as an Indian married woman. Using a monochromatic medium like charcoal drawing offers spectators room for interpretation whereas a wide spectrum of colors in painting can either limit or prejudice their emotions. In addition, charcoal medium aids in articulation and illustration of such a complex concept of Buddhism. I have prepared three different series of drawings to articulate all the worlds based on my experience and understanding. First series of drawings visually represent this concept of ten distinct life conditions through a series of ten different geometrical shape drawings, where each drawing symbolizes a unique state of life. It was intriguing for me to create a space for every life state/ world through geometrical shapes enveloping complex graphical elements and human figures. Second series of circle drawings shows that these states coexist at any given moment, where one of them will be manifest and other nine dormant. This phenomenon also known as mutual possession of ten worlds is represented by seven abstract circular shaped drawings. The abstraction of elements also depicts human life is full of intricacy and inconsistency. All life is in a constant state of flux, yet there exists a discernable pattern and a strong connection between various life conditions. This interconnected network of various states of life is shown in the third series of drawings of graphical elements like tubes, strings and cords entangling with human figures in array of square on wooden panels. Looking for depth and deeper meaning I started experimenting with ceramics sculpture and serendipity it was indeed added a new dimension to my art. Creating sculptures has reaped me a different perspective of all the complex and abstract lines in my charcoal drawings.
With my work I would like to provide the contemporary world of art a platform to appreciate the connection between art and human development. Once we understand ourselves, together we can bring positive change in the world.
Dr. Daisaku Ikeda says: “A great work of art is one that truly moves and inspires people.”
CURRICULUM VITAE
SWAPNA DAS
Email: swapnadas09@gmail.com
www.swapnadas-art.com
https://www.instagram.com/kosen_rufu_artist/
EDUCATION
Masters in Fine Arts – Painting & Drawing
Arizona State University, 2013- 2016
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Painting
College of Art – University of Delhi, India, 2001 – 2005
ACHIEVEMENTS
EXIHIBTIONS / ART SHOWS
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Mesa Community College, Mesa, Arizona, Fall 2016- Present
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Arizona State University, 2014- 2021
AFS Institute, New Delhi, India, 2010 –2011
Tagore International School, New Delhi, India, 2008 – 2011
Private Classes, 2009 – 2011
Leap Year School, New Delhi, 2007
WORK EXPERIENCE
LANGUAGE
My art encompasses profound belief that spirituality and creativity are intertwined. This belief stems the foundation of my current research work, which is the Buddhist concept of “Ten Worlds” – ten life states that a person experiences in his or her life. From lowest to highest, these ten worlds are hell, hunger, animality, anger, humanity, rapture, learning, realization, bodhisattvas, and Buddhahood.
To comprehend such multifaceted concept, I constricted my palate to grayscale and sanguine. Charcoal medium aids in articulation of the “Ten Worlds,” while sanguine enhances the contrast of grayscale and holds significance to my cultural beliefs as an Indian married woman. Using a monochromatic medium like charcoal drawing offers spectators room for interpretation whereas a wide spectrum of colors in painting can either limit or prejudice their emotions. In addition, charcoal medium aids in articulation and illustration of such a complex concept of Buddhism. I have prepared three different series of drawings to articulate all the worlds based on my experience and understanding. First series of drawings visually represent this concept of ten distinct life conditions through a series of ten different geometrical shape drawings, where each drawing symbolizes a unique state of life. It was intriguing for me to create a space for every life state/ world through geometrical shapes enveloping complex graphical elements and human figures. Second series of circle drawings shows that these states coexist at any given moment, where one of them will be manifest and other nine dormant. This phenomenon also known as mutual possession of ten worlds is represented by seven abstract circular shaped drawings. The abstraction of elements also depicts human life is full of intricacy and inconsistency. All life is in a constant state of flux, yet there exists a discernable pattern and a strong connection between various life conditions. This interconnected network of various states of life is shown in the third series of drawings of graphical elements like tubes, strings and cords entangling with human figures in array of square on wooden panels. Looking for depth and deeper meaning I started experimenting with ceramics sculpture and serendipity it was indeed added a new dimension to my art. Creating sculptures has reaped me a different perspective of all the complex and abstract lines in my charcoal drawings.
With my work I would like to provide the contemporary world of art a platform to appreciate the connection between art and human development. Once we understand ourselves, together we can bring positive change in the world.
Dr. Daisaku Ikeda says: “A great work of art is one that truly moves and inspires people.”
CURRICULUM VITAE
SWAPNA DAS
Email: swapnadas09@gmail.com
www.swapnadas-art.com
https://www.instagram.com/kosen_rufu_artist/
EDUCATION
Masters in Fine Arts – Painting & Drawing
Arizona State University, 2013- 2016
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Painting
College of Art – University of Delhi, India, 2001 – 2005
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Recipient for $1,000 at the 6th Annual Art for Good Grant Project provided by the Carmody Foundation and presented by Sisao Gallery, 2022
- Featured in YabYum Music+Arts in 2017 2017
- https://www.yabyumwest.com/2017/08/yabyum-seven-swapna-das.html
- Visual Artists and Writers Residency at Vermont Studio Center, July 2016
- Thesis Exhibition “Ten Worlds” featured in The State Press on 03/ 28/2016
- Featured in The Phoenix New Times on 03/18/2016
- Graduate Research Scholarship, Graduate Professional & Scholarship Association, ASU 2015-16
- Gerry Grout Visual Art Scholarship, Arizona State University 2015-16
- Special Talent Award Scholarship, Arizona State University 2015-16
- Special Talent Award Scholarship, Arizona State University 2013-14
- Art work featured in newspaper “The Mesa Legend”, 2013
- Won National Scholarship to Young Artist in different cultural fields, Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Department of Culture, Govt. of India. in Print Making, Rs 50000, 2007
- Invited to Garhi Art Camp, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi by eminent artists, 2007
- Painting selected for National Art Exhibition for Junior Artist, 2004
EXIHIBTIONS / ART SHOWS
- Exploring the World, Times Square Exhibition, New York 2023
- The Surreal World, Found Re: Phoenix Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona 2023
- In Celebration of Women II Exhibit, Herberger Theater Center, Tempe, Arizona 2023
- Tiny Exhibition, Sisao Gallery, Phoenix 2022
- 22nd Annual Juried Exhibition, Found Re: Phoenix Hotel, Phoenix Arizona 2022
- 6th Annual Art for Good Grant Project, Group Show , Sisao Gallery Phoenix 2022
- Strange Figuration, Group Show at Hudson, New York 2022
- Biennale Faculty Art Show, Mesa Community College, Arizona, USA 2022
- Solo Art Exhibition, Art Gallery at Mesa Community College 2022
- Solo Art Exhibition, Vault Gallery at ASU Phoenix Downtown Library, Phoenix, Spring 2018
- Solo Art Exhibition, Central Gallery at Phoenix Public Library, Phoenix, Fall 2018
- InSight II, Author + Artist Collaboration, New City Studios, Phoenix, Jan 2018
- Fine Art Show, Arizona State Fair, Arizona Fair Ground, Phoenix, 2017
- Big Ideas in Small Packages, Blue Door Art Center, New York, 2017
- That New, Exhibition at Unexpected Gallery, Phoenix, 2017
- Nasty Women Art Exhibition, Grand ArtHaus, Phoenix, USA, 2017
- Nasty Women Art Exhibition at The Knockdown Center, New York, USA, 2017
- Tiny Works/ Tiny Dances, Gallery 9, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 2016
- 3rd Annual Surprise Invitational Exhibition, Surprise, Arizona, USA, 2016
- Biennale Faculty Art Show, Mesa Community College, Arizona, USA, 2016
- Chocolate and Art Show, MonOrchid, Phoenix, USA, 2016
- Gods and Monsters, Group Exhibition, Gallery 9, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 2016
- Ten Worlds, Thesis Exhibition, Harry Wood Gallery, ASU, 2016
- All Arizona Group Exhibition, Thermal Gallery, Art Detour, Phoenix, 2016
- Inverse Conversation Group Art Show, Qingzhou, China, 2016
- Inverse Conversation, Renmin University, Beijing, China, 2016
- Arizona Artist Guild Statewide Open Exhibition, Juried Show at Glendale Gallery, 2016
- Epilogue: Contemporary Literary Art, Juried Show at Firehouse Gallery, Phoenix, 2016
- Creative Push Group Exhibition, Step Gallery, ASU, USA, 2016
- Group Show at art|object, Carefree, Arizona, USA, 2015
- Seven @ Nine, ASU MFA Show, Gallery 9, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 2015
- Nathan Cummings Show, ASU, USA, 2015
- Inverse Conversation, Exchange Exhibition with Renmin University of China, ASU, USA, 2015
- Eight on Seventh at Mother Bunch, Phoenix, USA, 2014
- Solid Solutions II: Best of the ASU Foundry, Step Gallery - ASU, USA, 2014
- Ice House Sculpture Show, Phoenix, USA, 2014
- Step Gallery Art Show, Arizona State University, USA, 2013
- Fiasco: Art of Failure, Arizona State University, USA, 2013
- New Graduate Art Show, Arizona State University, USA, 2013
- Art and Culture Show, Intel Corporation, Arizona, USA, 2013
- Exhibition at Mesa Community College Fine Art Festival, Arizona, USA, 2012
- Garhi Art Show, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, India, 2007
- Dew To Drops, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, India, 2006
- All India Art Exhibition, Amritsar, India, 2006
- Art Show, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, India, 2006
- Agnipath Art Exhibition and Competition, New Delhi, India, 2005
- 46th National Art Exhibition, Kochi, India, 2004
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Mesa Community College, Mesa, Arizona, Fall 2016- Present
- Adjunct Faculty of Art 111, Drawing I
- Adjunct Faculty of Art 112, Two Dimensional Design
- Adjunct Faculty of ART122, Drawing and Composition II, Emphasis on composition and exploration of drawing media. ART 211, Drawing and Composition III, Advanced development of drawing skill with emphasis on compositional theory. ART 222, Drawing and Composition IV, Further study of drawing techniques with emphasis on individual problems and techniques. ART 290AC, Studio Art, Studio course for art majors allowing continuation in a subject field.
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Arizona State University, 2014- 2021
- Faculty Associate for Art 110, Drawing as Seeing and Thinking
- Faculty Associate for Art 112. Two Dimensional Design
- Teaching Assistant of Art 113 Undergraduate course at ASU
- Teaching fundamentals of color theory in visual art, giving lectures and exams, critiques and grading.
AFS Institute, New Delhi, India, 2010 –2011
- Teaching college students different techniques like Sketching, Still Life, Color, Composition, Perspective Composition, Object Drawings, Outdoor sketching,, Human Figure Drawing, Anatomy Drawing of Humans and Animals, Textile Designing, Typography and Water Color
Tagore International School, New Delhi, India, 2008 – 2011
- Teaching grade 1st till 8th students- Clay Modeling, Creative Art, Craft & Art mix.
- Managing events of all art competitions all throughout the year- Student selection and Training for both Inter and Intra school events
- Organizing Annual Art exhibitions at Intra-school for all grades
- Preparing backdrop and sets ( 40 x 40 ft) and prepred props for participants forAnnual Function
- Responsible for preparing display boards on all occasions
Private Classes, 2009 – 2011
- Offered private art classes to kids at home
Leap Year School, New Delhi, 2007
- Teaching primary students drawing, painting and clay modeling
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Commission Work for PhD Music Recital, ASU, 2014
- Worked in Lalit Kala Academy Regional Studio, Garhi, 2005 – 2009
- Freelancing - House Wall Painting, 2011
- Freelancing - Comic Illustration for children book, 2006
LANGUAGE
- English, Hindi, Bengali