THE POWERFUL COMMUNICATION

A highly acclaimed artist, Asit Kumar Patnaik was born in Orissa in 1968. He received his bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the Govt. College of Art and Crafts, Khallikote, Orissa and MFA in Painting from BHU, Varanasi, where he was a gold medallist. A semi-realistic figurative painter, Asit’s narratives revolve around the human psyche and the interpersonal relationships of people within society. There is a certain sensitivity in his works, accentuated by his technique and choice of colors and textures. He captures complex emotions through his semi-clad male and female figures, depicted in varied, open-ended postures. The deceptive simplicity of his lines adds to the sensuality of the robust figures. There is a sense of mystery as well as visual harmony in his paintings.

When the Almighty created the world He tried to maintain a cohesive harmony in it by creating a balance. He had a yin for every yang, a little evil of every good. Asit Kumar Patnaik’s paintings play around with this concept. He paints a cool backdrop to balance his warm toned subjects. As subjects, both men and women in erotic postures form an interesting storyline for the onlookers. His paintings have a sensual tone and entice the human mind.

Further more, the sultry red colored hair, portray the passionate and empowered women of this day and age. Asit’s paintings are deeply rooted and the cracks in the background add a fascinating texture to the painting and contrast the smooth flowing brushwork in his artwork. Between the reds, blues and greens of the subjects and the ochers, greys, and browns of the backdrop, the artist gradually blends the two to and give the paintings a pleasant outlook.
The artist chooses a color palette full of cool and rustic tones of reds, browns, ocher and teal that in a way represents that nothing in a relationship is black and white. Like the people in that relationship, and the relationship itself, Asit’s paintings are multifaceted.

The subjects, like many other lovers are engaged in non-verbal communication, stealing gazes with each other, shyly smiling, meeting each other’s eyes and then looking away. Their expressions and physical features depict what’s going on in their hearts and minds. The artist explores the relationship between the men and the women in these paintings by their physical proximity with each other, their expressions, and their soundless yet powerful communication.
Asit Kumar Patnaik is a recipient of several awards, including a National Cultural Scholarship and Junior Fellowship from MHRD, The Department of Culture, Govt. of India, in the field of Fine Arts. He has also been felicitated by his alma mater in Orissa. Asit has exhibited in over 40 solo and group shows in India and abroad, including solo shows at Jehangir Art Gallery and World Art Dubai, and participation in Art Hamptons New York and The Florence Biennale. He is also a regular participant at Art Camps. Asit’s works are held in various public and private collections in India, Australia, USA, UK, South Korea, UAE, Bangladesh, South Africa and Switzerland. The artist lives and works in New Delhi.