Her master strokes invoke a feeling of oneness with nature. Her abstract lines subliminally travel through the diverse cultures that Anju Chaudhary has lived, from the streets of bustling Kolkata, to a quaint Bengali village and finally flowing with the river Seine in Paris. On the eve of international women’s day, Art Magnum presents the splendorous works of a famous Indian artist Anju Chaudhari who has lived and worked in France creating nature prints that, though abstract, capture the cadence of flora and fauna in a lyrical form.
She was trained in engravings by Stanley William Hayter at his illustrious art studio Atelier 17, Paris that artists like Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko often frequented. Born in North Calcutta Anju was inspired by stories of Hindu mythology and she grew up absorbing the beauty of the beautiful sea and mountains.
Educated in the Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta, Anju won a National Scholarship to study art at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Baroda. After being exposed to Western Art in Baroda, she got scholar- ships to continue her studies at the St. Martins School of Arts, London, and then at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris.
The essence of her work lies in her unique portrayal of her perception of the environment. For her, the idea of nature is universal as it is persistent in every part of the world. Hence, nature with its “Leafs, Flowers, Field, Forest, Landscapes, Windows, Cascade, Light” is an integral part of her art. She also renders images of the five elements in her artworks. She compliments her vision with her bold brushstrokes, intricate detailing, and harmonious use of colour. Her true artistic capability emerges from her incorporating the paper she uses; she is a pioneer in making paper where flowers, plants, pigments, and glues mingle to create a harmonious outcome.
“ The artist’s artworks transcend more than just mere aesthetics; they embody the joy of human life and the unifying power of art and culture that brings people together. She captures the essence of shared experiences and hence celebrates the universality of art. The different blooms in her paintings represent different cultures, which come together to form a beautiful flower garland, depicting the convergence of different civilizations,” sharesJyotirmoy Bhattacharya.
Acrylic, watercolour, inclusions, calligraphy, pencil, mixed technique, engraving… the medium for her art varies widely but her direction stays constant. Her art- works have been exhibited in many parts of Europe and Japan; Notably her work is in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and has been showcased in places like the Galerie Toni Brechbuhl, Switzerland and the Birla Academy, Calcutta. She is also the recipient of the Certificateof Merit from the Royal Academy of London and the International Arts Guild Prize for engraving in Monte-Carlo.