Shubhi Gupta — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Biography

Shubhi Gupta was born in 1981 in India, and now lives and works in Singapore. She is a contemporary-oil-painter graduated in Fine Arts from Lasalle College of Arts. In 2017 she won the prestigious Clifton Art Prize People’s Choice Award for Singapore. She is also one of the finalists of the Signature Art Prize, London 2018/19. Her works have been chosen for the renowned Chelsea International Fine Art Competition Exhibition 2021. Her oil paintings capture everyday moments in still lives and portraiture. Each piece is nostalgic and relatable, allowing the viewer to make a personal connection. Her works transcend the limitations that human differences can have on our ability to connect with each other, as each piece relates directly to a universal human experience.

What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist?

When I was 29 years old I started feeling that there is a lot of empty space in my life and I had no idea how to fill the gap. At the time, I came across a friend who went to some art classes and I decided to give them a try. Those 6 hours per week of art-making, made a huge difference in my life. However, at that point, I had no idea if I would ever consider art as a career. After a year of those art classes, I had to relocate to Singapore. I was determined to resume art classes and I joined a similar class in Singapore. I continued this class for almost 6 months. This was a turning point in my career; It was the first time I gave serious thought to becoming a full-time artist. What I was doing in those art classes was not able to satisfy my creative hunger. At the time, people suggested I pursue a formal art education. That’s when I enrolled myself for Lasalle College of Art, Singapore, for a Fine Art Diploma. Those 3 years were life-changing for me; By the time I was out of college I was very sure that did not want to stop creating. Of course, I had several doubts when I considered continuing to do art. I was unsure how I would survive this career because success was unpredictable. However, I listened to my heart and today I am grateful that I did.

What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?

I am a figurative artist and would love to continue to be one because this art form gives me so much freedom to connect with my audience.I get inspired by the thoughts in my mind and I like to express them on the canvas. That’s why each painting of mine carries a new story or a message. By putting my thoughts on the canvas I am not looking to have a conversation with myself, but to convey a larger meaning to the audience. I would like my audience to feel that they are outside and looking in, both physically and emotionally.

What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?

Humans have created various boundaries around us and they depend on various aspects of our life (age, gender, race, class, social status, etc.). I have a belief that we should not try to fit ourselves in a certain frame. These behavioural criteria are built upon a range of stereotypes that we carry around us. Through my work I want to reveal that thoughts and emotions are like the waves of the ocean; They don’t have to be directed. In short, my work communicates to the viewer to follow their heart rather than fulfilling their own expectations.

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

Finalizing the composition of my work is the most critical phase of my creative process. A lot goes on before the composition gets finalized, which includes trying various props and expressing the message behind the work. I don’t believe in giving a very direct message to my viewer. I believe that a message touches deeper when it is not said directly. I am always making notes in my mind about my future work and they reflect later in the form of a visual.

What is your favourite part of the creative process?

I have to say that my favourite part of the creative process is painting. Once the composition is finalized, it’s me and my canvas. As my work is very detailed I spend hours in my studio and that’s the time when I find peace within myself. I listen to the music at this phase and I have to admit that it improves my expression. Music helps me silent the noises in my head and lets me paint from the heart.

Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?

My current series of works are portraits of “powerful people of the world with masks”. My inspiration to start this series was a feeling of helplessness during the pandemic. By portraying powerful people in this series I want to show that how inconsequential and powerless we all are in front of nature. I am expecting to finish this series by the end of the year. I am also exploring some new painting techniques which I am very excited about.

Website: shubhigupta.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shubhigupta_artist/