Shuvaprasanna, one of Bengal’s most popular artists in the present day, is to begin the New Year with celebrating Charlie Chaplin by holding a 20-day exhibition of 30 of his artworks that depict the iconic actor.
“The 20th century saw the rise of two geniuses whom the world would remember for their remarkable contribution to the cultural arena. One is Pablo Picasso, the revolutionary Spanish artist, and the other is Charlie Chaplin, not only an actor, filmmaker, and humourist but also a great critic of fascism. Chaplin had a deep understanding of the society and he expressed that understanding through his performances — from silent cinema to the talkies,” the Kolkata-based artist said about his subject.
The exhibition, which he has titled ‘A Genius and the Common Man’, will begin at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity on January 2 and go on till January 22. What’s special about these artworks is that Mr. Shuvaprasanna has used acrylic ink — instead of conventional paint — to create them.
“My works are a way to delineate my admiration for the unparalleled influence that Chaplin wielded. I have meticulously studied and tried to replicate the virtuoso’s facial expressions, postures and gestures. Instead of using pastel colour or oil colour or acrylic, I chose a type of acrylic ink that can be sprayed and I got the desired result,” the artist explained.
When asked why he handpicked Chaplin as his subject and whether he was still relevant today, Mr. Shuvaprasanna said that some individuals transcended time and became eternal, one of them being the legendary actor. “Through multiple dimensions, he brought joy, influenced people, and even portrayed sorrow — often using irony, satire, and humour to respond to the injustices and conditions of the world. They were, in the truest sense, humanists,” he said.
“Chaplin expressed his resistance to fascism through his gestures and facial expressions. Similarly, when modernity emerged — initially perceived as mechanical and devoid of life — he explored these ideas through various creative works. Later, through TheGold Rush, he portrayed life in a remarkably unusual way. The terrifying upheavals of that era were depicted through his expressions and creations in a manner that continues to illuminate us even today. Such individuals are eternal; they never grow old. Their work surpasses time,” Mr. Shuvaprasanna said.
Curated by James Chen
