Kiran Soni Gupta's Artist Profile
Kiran Soni Gupta
i like artist
I believe that man’s soul is the architect of history and that art is the manifestation of man’s soul & reflection of human identity and art materialized the deepest strata of man’s life. No art can fully express the hidden reality it is depicting and one must search beyond the lines, patterns, notes etc. Art is unbounded and recognizes no constraints. In modern era, art is playing a dominant role in bringing about social change transcending borders and minds. Art as such is the domain of the dialogue between civilizations and cultures; it can speak in loud and penetrating voice. Therefore, the pivot of dialogue is the society’s artists and thinkers. The language of painting and many arts is expressive indeed by which an immediate relationship is established. Artists show us new ways to see familiar things, and how to interpret new situations and events through various kinds of visual shorthand. Art is most often seen as pleasing the eye- creating beauty. Yet the idea of beauty, like that of truth, has been most challenging in the present day era. If something moves you to an understanding somehow unreachable for you by the common paths of words and reason, it's Art for you. Art is a process, a dialog, not a cause-and-effect like many people seem to think. Art is not for the sake of anything…. Rather it is not a means to achieve something but each art work in its own right depicts the image of the soul of artists and society at large. To pave the ground for the artist to be able to work freely and spontaneously is need of the hour. The greatest achievement of art is to extend and expand our shared common visual language. My aim is to share Indian art across the borders and to pick up and recognize the commonalities in human beings transcending barriers of religion, language, culture, food habits but sharing and experiencing the same emotions and aspirations. For me the truth rings in words of Alexander Pope, “ To wake up the soul with tender strokes…..’.
Artist's Statement
I believe that man’s soul is the architect of history and that art is the manifestation of man’s soul & reflection of human identity and art materialized the deepest strata of man’s life. No art can fully express the hidden reality it is depicting and one must search beyond the lines, patterns, notes etc. Art is unbounded and recognizes no constraints. In modern era, art is playing a dominant role in bringing about social change transcending borders and minds. Art as such is the domain of the dialogue between civilizations and cultures; it can speak in loud and penetrating voice. Therefore, the pivot of dialogue is the society’s artists and thinkers. The language of painting and many arts is expressive indeed by which an immediate relationship is established. Artists show us new ways to see familiar things, and how to interpret new situations and events through various kinds of visual shorthand. Art is most often seen as pleasing the eye- creating beauty. Yet the idea of beauty, like that of truth, has been most challenging in the present day era. If something moves you to an understanding somehow unreachable for you by the common paths of words and reason, it's Art for you. Art is a process, a dialog, not a cause-and-effect like many people seem to think. Art is not for the sake of anything…. Rather it is not a means to achieve something but each art work in its own right depicts the image of the soul of artists and society at large. To pave the ground for the artist to be able to work freely and spontaneously is need of the hour. The greatest achievement of art is to extend and expand our shared common visual language. My aim is to share Indian art across the borders and to pick up and recognize the commonalities in human beings transcending barriers of religion, language, culture, food habits but sharing and experiencing the same emotions and aspirations. For me the truth rings in words of Alexander Pope, “ To wake up the soul with tender strokes…..’.
Kiran Soni Gupta is an accomplished officer besides being an artist, prolific writer, and a keen photographer. The Harvard University selected her in 2005 for the prestigious Mason Fellowship at the Kennedy School of Government to study Public Policy, Governance, Public Administration. The Government of India selected her for a Master’s in Public Policy at Maxwell, Syracuse. She focused on Public Policy in US and specialized in environmental negotiations, gender & social issues & disaster management. She has worked in Government of India, governments of Rajasthan and Kerala. Till recently she was the Textile Commissioner at Mumbai. Presently she is Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor to the Ministry of Sports & Youth affairs and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. She is also holding additional charge of National Dope Testing Laboratory. She was District Collector of Rajasamand and Sriganganagar and also Divisional Commissioner of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bharatpur and Ajmer. She was Commissioner Command area, MD of the Civil Aviation Corporation of Rajasthan, VC of Rajasthan Sanskrit University and also held positions as Chief Protocol officer, General Administrative Department, Administrative Tribunal, and also Principal Secretary Art & Culture. She has been a great protagonist of Indian arts & Culture. Her contributions while working in economic sectors like textiles, commerce, culture, aviation and water resources environment has been well recognized. She has specialized in public policy. She has won many awards including National awards from National Productivity Council and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she is a versatile visual artist and has showcased her Indian art at many national and international platforms. Travelled widely she exhibited her artwork “NREGA” & “Farm Labor” at the most famous and most visited Le Louvre Museum in Paris France in Dec 2012 & 2013. She was conferred with Bharat Nirmaan Award 2017 at 4th Asiad Litfest,‘ Special Women Award in International Vaish Sammelan 2013", Rajasthan Gaurav Award 2013 " Nari Pratibha Samman "2012. Her paintings on the ‘Famine’ depicting its impact on women and children in India won her a National Award. She has exhibited 38 solo shows and 75 group shows besides teaching arts internationally. She has participated in many international art symposiums. She also conceptualized and organized Jaipur Art Festival in 2013 and 2014 with 200 participating from all countries and all states of India. She organized Gita Kala Parv at Kurukshetra in Dec 2016 and Vigyan Prasar Kala Parv at Indian National Science Academy 2017. Her latest solo show was ‘Srijan ‘held at Trident Art Walk Gallery at Hotel Trident Mumbai Jan 2017 and Abhivyakti in New Delhi in March 2017. She has been bestowed with the National Mahila Gaurav Samman 2017. .