On Realising a Surreal Dream
They say you should chase down your passion like it is the last bus of the night! Kritika Anand, a 27-year-old literature graduate from Delhi University who discovered and pursued her passion for surreal art, did just this.
Though Kritika had always been good at painting and had participated in several art competitions, there came a point when she realised that art was more than just a hobby to her. We ask her what triggered this shift in perspective. She says:
“After completing my graduation in literature, I felt an inner urge to go back to painting. So I enrolled for a foundation course to brush up all my long-lost skills. Gradually, things started falling in place. Four years ago, I got selected in Triveni Kala Sangam, which is an important culture and arts complex and education centre in New Delhi. Being a part of Triveni was a dream come true for me. Growing up, I had heard so much about the place from my mother, whose brother was an oil painter and had been associated with Triveni for 12 long years. Joining this organisation was the biggest turning point of my life and it was then that I started getting serious about creating art.”
People say it takes ages to create something worthwhile in art. But Kritika seems to have speeded up the process. Several notable e-publications like Cyberwit UK, EFiction India and E-Tableau, a unit of Efiction India, have already recognised and featured her talent. She was also featured as 'The Artist of the Week' in BuzzArt, a global art community.
“I have always been interested in giving shape to my thoughts surrealistically. In my paintings, I never use any means or concepts beforehand. I paint them naively, as though I’m taking photographs of my dreams or thoughts. Ideas come to my mind and I see no reason why I should consider them wise, stupid, childish, constructive or destructive. My ideas are my alter ego and their implementation is the result of inner need.”
She believes that creating is all about finding balance. Frustrations, dissatisfaction and failures throw people into a state of chaos as they try to create, but being authentic and genuine amidst the chaos is a huge part of the creative life.
“It is about watching the person you're becoming as you create, and never trading honesty for relatability.”
To all would-be creators, she says:
“To create something is the greatest blessing one can be bestowed with. So, own it, do not fear it. Quoting one of my favourite contemporary writers, Atticus - 'Art takes time'. Monet grew his gardens before he painted them.”
You said it Kritika! Here’s wishing you a lifetime of meaning as you chase your dreams!
Know an everyday artist like Kritika? Share their story with us by writing to everydayartists@urbanladder.com. We’d love to feature their work here!
