Curated by Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya, the show captures a world where diverse cultures meet and merge seamlessly with each other.
Anju Chaudhary’s masterful strokes evoke a profound sense of harmony with nature. Her abstract lines subtly traverse the diverse cultures she has experienced, from the bustling streets of Kolkata to a serene Bengali village, and onward, flowing with the river Seine in Paris. On the eve of International Women’s Day, Art Magnum proudly presents the magnificent works of renowned Indian artist Anju Chaudhari, who has lived and worked in France, creating nature-inspired prints that, while abstract, capture the rhythm of flora and fauna in a poetic form.
Trained in engravings by Stanley William Hayter at his prestigious art studio Atelier 17 in Paris, frequented by artists like Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko, Anju draws inspiration from her upbringing in North Calcutta, where she was immersed in the beauty of the sea and mountains and stories of Hindu mythology. Educated at the Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta, Anju earned a National Scholarship to study art at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Baroda. Exposure to Western Art in Baroda led her to receive scholarships for further studies at the St. Martins School of Arts, London, and later at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris.
At the heart of her work lies her unique interpretation of the environment. For Anju, the concept of nature is universal, persistent across the globe. Thus, nature, with its “Leaves, Flowers, Fields, Forests, Landscapes, Windows, Cascades, and Light,” is an integral part of her art. She also depicts the five elements in her artworks, complementing her vision with bold brushstrokes, intricate detailing, and harmonious use of color. Anju’s true artistic innovation lies in her incorporation of handmade paper, where flowers, plants, pigments, and glues mingle to create a harmonious outcome.
“Anju’s artworks transcend 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 celebrates the universality of art. The diverse blooms in her paintings symbolize different cultures converging to form a beautiful flower garland, depicting the amalgamation of civilizations,” shares Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya.
Using mediums ranging from acrylic and watercolor to inclusions, calligraphy, pencil, mixed techniques, and engraving, Anju’s artistry remains consistent. Her works have been exhibited across Europe and Japan, with notable pieces housed in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and showcased at venues like the Galerie Toni Brechbuhl in Switzerland and the Birla Academy in Calcutta. She is also the recipient of the Certificate of Merit from the Royal Academy of London and the International Arts Guild Prize for engraving in Monte-Carlo.
