As the shutters roll

Artist Atul Dodiya is a self-proclaimed 'mad, possessed guy' who can paint all day long. We guess it is this passion for art that has taken him places. Literally. The man is now all set for Art41 Basel, a premier art show in Switzerland. He speaks to CS about the work that he will display there:

WHO: Atul Dodiya
WHAT: Talking about his trip to Art41 Basel
WHERE: At his studio in Ghatkoparu00a0

Basel beckons
I am very excited about going to Art41 Basel. It's one of the leading shows in the world, displaying works from top galleries across the globe. You get to meet a number of museum directors, art dealers, curators and top contemporary artists. My works have been displayed at New York and many European shows, but this is my first time at Basel. I will be representing the Chemould and Prescott gallery.


PIC/ DATTA KUMBHAR

Figure out
My work will be shown under the 'Art Feature' category. I will be responding to late artist Bhupen Khakhar through my work. He was famous for painting subjects relating to small town India, especially small traders. I am doing three of Khakhar's paintings ufffd Janta Watch Repair, Sheikh Shoe Mart and Shankar Saloon on operatable metal roller shutters. When you lift the shutters, you will see another painting inside ufffd awkwardly painted figures inspired by Kazimir Malevich, a Russian artist. He called them peasants/villagers, and they didn't have a definitive face. My work reflects the lower middle class of our society. People who live hand-to-mouth and are burdened by the daily grind. And though I have drawn inspiration from these artists, all the paintings carry my interpretation.

Canvas speak
I don't have a definitive style. My works can be witty, cerebral, sombre as well as have reference and quotations from others in the art world. I work on varied media like sensitive water colours, oils, cabinets (installations), roller shutters, etc as I believe that every subject matter requires a specific medium of expression.

Life in art
When I travel, I spend 90 percent of my time in art museums, devouring art from across the globe. But my biggest inspiration is Mumbai city. As I travel from Ghatkopar to VT, I get to see myriad facets of life in a single journey. Pablo Piccaso is my favourite artist followed by Jasper Jones, Rabindranath Tagore and Bhupen Khakhar.