In this episode Anindita Banerjee talks about how she recreates Indian traditional rituals and mark-makings to find out how it resonates as an authentic culture for her in Australia… and how others view it. Anindita enjoys being in Australia and the multiculturalism that it offers, no wonder people from across all the communities enjoy her creative works without any judgement.
Vikrant Kishore conducted a short interview with Anindita Banerjee to know more about her work and life in Australia
Source: Supplied
How have you connected with your roots being here in Australia?
I try to be very true to my roots and being so this feeling of respect, gratefulness and desire to keep that alive has amalgamated into a lively creative art practice here in the heart of Australia.
Tell us about yourself and your family… and why did you choose Australia?
In 2010 we, (as in my kids and myself) followed my husband to Melbourne for a 2yr long project. We were then living in Chicago, USA. Both my kids were born there.
After living outside of India for about 5 years I was pining for home. And I found the sense of home here in Australia and therefore decided to stay back and not return back to the US.
Source: Supplied
Tell us about your creative work and practice?
Through my creative practice as a Visual Artist, I examine cultural experiences in a diaspora. I test the identity and the existence of the ‘cultural other’. I am pursuing this practice led PHD through Deakin University.
How do you connect traditional art form practice here in Australia?
I recreate traditional rituals and practices in the gallery context and keep it very open for the onlooker. I place myself in my art and invite the onlooker to participate in the ceremony if they wish to. This makes our culture and traditions accessible to the gallery audience and therefore to the wider community.
How do people receive your folk/traditional art form here?
The majority of the population here in Australia are migrants and all share the emotion of finding the comfort and warmth of home. They are therefore quite receptive to what the others have to offer in terms of art, traditions and culture. My work is accepted with a lot of respect and eagerness to know more.
When did you first discover your love of art?
I have always been a creative person and have have loved art, literature, music all my life.
What do you enjoy most about creating artworks?
Art is a mode of expression for me. We often have very complex thoughts in our minds which are difficult to express fearlessly. I express them through my artworks. And it is this freedom of expression that I enjoy the most while creating art.
When did you decide to become a professional artist, and has it been a tough process for you?
After doing an MBA with specialization in HR, in my last life (as I call it) I worked fulltime in the IT industry. It was only in late 2012 that I started my own studio and then about 6 months after that I gave up my job and dedicated all of my energy to my passion. Apart from teaching at the studio and exhibiting my work I am also pursuing a creative practice led PHD at Deakin University. Yes, it has been a tough journey, as any career change would be I guess, but I would not trade it for anything else.
Source: Supplied
How did you feel when you found out your artwork had won the Wyndham Art Prize's People's Choice Awards?
When I found out that FADE had won the Wyndham Art Prize I felt happy, excited and more than anything else it was a reassurance to me that I was going in the right path.
Can you tell me the title of the artwork which you entered into the awards, and a bit about the artwork?
The work that won the prize is called FADE. Here I speak about the necessity of the constant dialogue that is required to keep the existence of the ‘cultural other’ alive and thriving. If we raise our voice just once and forget about it, it will fade.
What has been the highlight of your artistic career, so far?
Every time a work gets accepted in an exhibition, every time I am invited to participate in talks, every time somebody asks me about my research I feel happy. However, if I were to pick a few favourite ones today, they would be being part of Hatched 2017 in PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts) and winning the Peoples Choice Award at the Wyndham Art Prize 2017.
Do you like being here in Australia?
I love being here in Australia. It has become my home away from home.
What makes you Australian-Indian?
India has laid the foundation of my life and Australia has helped me build it. This makes my existence Australian Indian.
Follow us on FACEBOOK
