
Debojyoty Dhara
Location:  
Kolkata, India
School:  
Rabindra Bharati University
Several subjects are portrayed in my artworks which revolve around our present obsession with materialism and the hybrid tendencies of human nature.
In my artworks the ‘hybrids’ are semi-human creatures in whom their internal perversions are portrayed through visual mutations. My works bring out the internal struggles of the cities creatures, their blatant pride in shallow ideologies, materialistic possessions and insecurities & vices. I first came to this mode of visual representation when I observed the daily passengers of public transportation gawking at prostitutes when the bus was travelling through Shovabazzar, a famous red light area of Kolkata. This was the first time I saw those females as a mirror to the society, only that this mirror brought to light the dark side of society, where outward appearances were a sham.
My works are filled with questions related to, the material obsessed city slicker. I have also dwelled in the reinterpretation of cultural landmarks, from my Hybrids point of view. Architectural heritage(from Kolkata) becomes stripped of its historical importance and are a way to validate the insecurities of these Hybrid creatures In my works titled For example, 'Dekhi to ke beshi lomba' the Hybrids is trying to validate its insecurities with appearance by comparing its height with that of a monument. It signifies how our cultural landmarks are something which has been to suit our ideologies, where its original meaning is lost; (through other works using AC & other products) this materialism becomes evident . Here the hybrids are comfortable in an environment of consumerist abundance. This is a parody on a class of society, who thrives on, whose identities are dependent on, their material possessions. Inspired by the literary works of Bengali writer Shukumar Roy, I incorporate the visuals that are nonsensical in a simple manner but deals with the inner anguish of the urban creatures.
My artworks deal with urban paradoxes where its hidden nature is exposed and the end result is that of unfamiliar creatures with their familiar situation. It questions our reality and forces us to dwell on the lies that we have taught ourselves to believe. We have been trained to be civilized so that we can exist in social structures, however, time and time again our inner demons reveals themselves and betray the façade the we have created for our preferences.
In my artworks the ‘hybrids’ are semi-human creatures in whom their internal perversions are portrayed through visual mutations. My works bring out the internal struggles of the cities creatures, their blatant pride in shallow ideologies, materialistic possessions and insecurities & vices. I first came to this mode of visual representation when I observed the daily passengers of public transportation gawking at prostitutes when the bus was travelling through Shovabazzar, a famous red light area of Kolkata. This was the first time I saw those females as a mirror to the society, only that this mirror brought to light the dark side of society, where outward appearances were a sham.
My works are filled with questions related to, the material obsessed city slicker. I have also dwelled in the reinterpretation of cultural landmarks, from my Hybrids point of view. Architectural heritage(from Kolkata) becomes stripped of its historical importance and are a way to validate the insecurities of these Hybrid creatures In my works titled For example, 'Dekhi to ke beshi lomba' the Hybrids is trying to validate its insecurities with appearance by comparing its height with that of a monument. It signifies how our cultural landmarks are something which has been to suit our ideologies, where its original meaning is lost; (through other works using AC & other products) this materialism becomes evident . Here the hybrids are comfortable in an environment of consumerist abundance. This is a parody on a class of society, who thrives on, whose identities are dependent on, their material possessions. Inspired by the literary works of Bengali writer Shukumar Roy, I incorporate the visuals that are nonsensical in a simple manner but deals with the inner anguish of the urban creatures.
My artworks deal with urban paradoxes where its hidden nature is exposed and the end result is that of unfamiliar creatures with their familiar situation. It questions our reality and forces us to dwell on the lies that we have taught ourselves to believe. We have been trained to be civilized so that we can exist in social structures, however, time and time again our inner demons reveals themselves and betray the façade the we have created for our preferences.