Retro Kolkata : Please Say something about you.
Divyaman: I am a self taught artist. Following in the footsteps of my grandfather, the renowned artist and Member of Parliament late Shri Awadhesh Kumar Singh, whose paintings were exhibited at the Parliament House under the tenure of Shri Dr. S Radhakrishnan as the President. I am currently the founder of Art By Divyaman gallery in Noida. My first solo exhibition titled ‘Ethereal’; was well received in January 2017, at Pearey Lal Bhawan, New Delhi. After which I have exhibited in AIFACS, Visual Art Gallery, Open Palm Court at India Habitat Centre, M.A.D.S Art Gallery, Milan.
Retro Kolkata : When did you first realize that you really loved drawing? Were there any instances that you can recall in particular that made you choose to concentrate on creating art?
Divyaman: I have been participating in some art and drawing competitions in my school and had always won awards for my drawing and paintings which I did not continue after school, until one day when I thought of gifting my fiance then (now my wife) something extra special and what better than my own hand painted artwork. Since then there is no looking back, she is my biggest inspiration.
Retro Kolkata : Has anybody guided you along your career path as an artist and if so who?
Divyaman: I would rather rephrase this and say that not guidance, however, I am very inspired by my maternal grandfather who was an artist himself.
Retro Kolkata : Tell us about your work? What are you currently working on?
Divyaman: I love nature and I am currently working on textured works which are very much inspired by nature.
Retro Kolkata : What is your favourite medium to work in?
Divyaman: I explore all mediums but I am biased towards oil paint. I feel it has an expressive texture.
Retro Kolkata : Who are some artists you admire?
Divyaman: I like paintings by Van Gogh for always showing the magic in the mundane.
Retro Kolkata : What subjects do you mostly like to draw and paint about and why?
Divyaman: I do figurative and abstract both, however, nature based abstracts are my personal favourite, as I have very fond memories of home where I am surrounded by forests and mountains. I developed a strong bond with nature early on while growing up in Chaugain, a village in the Buxar district of Bihar.
Retro Kolkata : What goes through your mind while you draw, is there a calm silence, do you listen to music or do you experience doubt, fear or any emotions at all?
Divyaman: I have the subject in my mind that I have to put on my canvas, yes I do listen to retro songs when I paint. I prefer being alone in my studio so the thoughts do not get disturbed or scattered of what I have in my mind to paint.
Retro Kolkata : Do you have any upcoming shows or exhibitions that you’ll be attending?
Divyaman: I plan to visit an upcoming show that is going to happen in Bikaner house, I like to see what other artists are doing and visit these shows, especially by upcoming artists; I feel that's my way of encouraging and supporting them.
Retro Kolkata : Describe your dream project.
Divyaman: I am running an art gallery called Art By Divyaman studio & gallery which is my dream project. The gallery’s motto is, “For an artist, By an artist”, so that everyone who creates art can have a place to showcase it easily.
