Today we’d like to introduce you to Amita Bhatt.
Amita, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I arrived in Houston in the early 90s, when I was the only Indian artist I knew. Most South Asian immigrants still predominantly worked in the Engineering and medical fields.
Life in Houston brought fresh perspectives on a range of things. Western philosophical and social theories introduced a new dimension to my work that dealt with identity-based political violence. Artistically, this was a period when I needed to move from my primary language, which was street photography, to a new language that addressed the personal with the political. Painting best suited me. I started to fuse all my influences and new experiences to build work that would allow me to make sense of the political world around me.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Art is rarely a smooth ride. Besides struggling to get one’s voice heard, one also has to find an art community in which one is understood and acknowledged. It can be a difficult task for anyone, leave alone an immigrant who is new to the culture. I have to admit how lucky I have been to find acceptance and have made lifelong friends in Houston.
Please tell us more about your artwork; what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I primarily paint and draw. My current solo exhibition-“Between Light and Shadow.” at Deborah Colton Gallery in Houston includes a range of work encompassing drawings, paintings, and sculpture. My work illustrates my explorations within the realm of political violence and fuses world mythology, philosophy, popular stories, children’s fables, and political events, as I examine the universal crises of conflict, desire, struggle, domination, displacement and transcendence. I have personalized the mythology and the imagery remains unrestricted.”
I have enjoyed building the drawing installations for this show. My work explores not just the obviously visible rights and wrongs we negotiate in our politics but also the more difficult choices between two wrongs.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I consider myself very lucky to have met so many wonderful, thinking people through my journey. Each of them has brought brilliance, love, and fresh frames of reference that have fed my life and work in unique ways.
Contact Info:
- Address: Deborah Colton Gallery: 2445 North Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77098
Phone: 713-869-5151Cellular: 713-398-1142
- Website: www.amitabhatt.info
- Email: ami6014@aol.com
- Instagram: amitabhatt_artist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=585466365
Image Credit:
Artist Photo credit: Zahaan Khan, Art work photo credit: Amit Bhattacharya, Installation images: Sherry Owens
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