Subrata barman : Painter

I was born in 1983 and presently live in Ichapur Niranjan Nagar (A Block). My journey as an artist has always been deeply rooted in mythology and empowered by the feminine spirit. After completing my graduation in Indian Painting from the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata (2006), and my postgraduation in Painting from Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan (2008), I have continued to explore ways of blending traditional themes with a contemporary visual language.

In my recent works, I focus on mythological narratives, particularly those surrounding Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, and Goddess Kali. For me, these deities are not just divine figures of worship, but living symbols of power, emotion, and transcendence. In my paintings, Shiva emerges both as the meditative ascetic and as the fierce Rudra; Durga embodies calm, storm, nurturing, and ferocity at once—revealing the many dimensions of feminine divinity.

I work across a wide range of mediums—wash on paper, tempera, acrylic, oil on canvas, and murals. Yet, my artistic language is defined most strongly by my use of color and texture. Deep reds, dark blues, ochres, and blacks are not mere aesthetic choices for me—they are spiritual vibrations. I do not just paint divinity; I summon it. For me, color becomes mantra, and every canvas transforms into sacred ground.

Symbolic motifs, fragmented lines, and layered backgrounds often find their way into my compositions. They are not added for decoration, but as structural elements that reflect time, memory, and the fragmented myths of a contemporary world. My visual grammar draws inspiration from classical Indian miniature painting, yet I strive to carve out a space that feels uniquely my own.

One of the central aspects of my work is the portrayal of women as warriors. I bring the strength of female divinity into focus—women as creators, destroyers, protectors, and rebels. These figures are not confined to ancient tales; they live, breathe, and confront the present. Through them, I revisit mythology not as something static, but as something that questions, challenges, and empowers.

I do not simply repeat mythology—I reinterpret it. I try to dive into its spiritual depths through layers of color and form, creating a dialogue where divinity and the contemporary psyche meet. My canvases are not meant to provide answers but to provoke reflection. They invite viewers not only to see but also to feel, absorb, and perhaps be transformed.

For me, art is not just visual—it is experiential. And within that experience, I hope to create a space where the divine is not distant, above us, but alive within us.