Shubra Chatuverdi's portrait - photo by Shailan Parker
Shubhra Chaturvedi:
“Use yourself before Expiry-Date”
BPP: Who are you?
And who you really are?
Shubhra Chaturvedi: "I wasn't born a painter or a
photographer. I am an artist and photographer by passion. Enough passion, to
make me quit the corporate world and
go behind the lens and in front of the canvas."
I am Shubhra Chaturvedi, an Artist and a Photographer
from India, New Delhi. I am 39 years old.
I was a product of the
capitalistic world, studied management and worked in corporate sector for many
years and the n I left it all to
pursue the world of creation. Today
I paint, do photography, installations and I also teach art to kids.
"Panorama" - photo by Shubra Chaturvedi
BPP: If you could say something important to othe rs who were listening, what would you tell the m?
Shubhra Chaturvedi: I would like to tell many things… but first and
foremost is that it’s never too late to do that which you really want to do in
life. The important thing is to fear
nothing and just make an attempt. One of
my kid students asked me how my paintings were so magnificent and I told her
“Art or for that matter anything in life becomes magnificent when you do not
get scared and you work on it from your heart.”
"Frozen" - Mixed media - created by Shubhra Chaturvedi
"An inviting evening" - Mixed media - created by Shubhra Chaturvedi
"Discover Me" - Acrylic on Canvas- created by Shubhra Chaturvedi
BPP: What is
your true dream, the one that keeps
you up at night and if one day it were to come true you would feel peace and
calmness in your heart?
Shubhra Chaturvedi: My dream is to reach out to the
world through my creations. My paintings should be able to provide visual
stimulation to the viewer, leave the m with a thought. My images should tell a story,
should show simple things differently, my installations and murals should
connect with people at large. My dream is also to take art to the common people, where it is not treated as an
elitist thing and artists are respected for the ir
concepts, efforts and thoughts. If as humanity we can all connect to each othe r through art and give art the
space it deserves, I’ll feel peace within.
"Edit Panchtantra" - Mixed media - created by Shubhra Chaturvedi
"Edit at 16000 ft-II"- Acrylic on Canvas - created by Shubhra Chaturvedi
BPP: How is life currently for the
people in your country and what would you wish for the m
and for the planet at large?
Shubhra Chaturvedi: Life for the
people of our country is in a flux. A transition process has started. In terms
of opportunities the re are far
greater options for everyone now the n
ever before. However the political
system is rotting having its effect on social and economic system leading a
sense of hopelessness and frustration amongst people at large.
I wish the
people of my country realize the ir
own potential and get aware of the
resources that the ir land offers the m. I hope
we believe in our own indigenous systems the n
blindly aping the global trends. I
wish people of my country and that of the
world at large were more conscious of the
environment and the effects of the ir day to day action on the
state of the planet…
"Dosti" - Acrylic on Canvas - created by Shubhra Chaturvedi
BPP: If you had a chance to be a child again would you
choose the same life?
Shubhra Chaturvedi: No! I would have probably done things differently from
beginning. I would have learnt dance, music, painting, poetry, hiking,
swimming, etc. I started all of this when I was more than 25 years old. So much
needs to be learnt and seen and done and so much time was spent not realizing
it.
"Timebound - Timelessness" - Oil on Canvas - created by Shubhra Chaturvedi
"Reaching out" - Mixed Media- created by Shubhra Chaturvedi
BPP: What was the exact moment that you realized what you wanted
to do with your life? How did you feel
at this very moment?
Shubhra Chaturvedi: 3 years ago when I lost my job I saw the ugly side of the
corporate world and I was totally lost. To keep myself sane I kept painting and
going out taking images… it was this time in my life when I felt I will no
longer look for a job… I realized that the
time I gave othe rs if I gave my art
maybe I will make a difference in this world. I was at peace the n knowing that I now know where I have to go…
Today I feel at ease with my self. Some people call if
struggle, I’d like to call it being creatively occupied.
"Chakraview" - Oil on Canvas - created by Shubhra Chaturvedi
BPP: Would you like to tell us something we didn’t ask
until now?
Shubhra Chaturvedi: Apart from being an
artist and a photographer, I am a poet/writer. I have been learning Hindustani
Classical music for last 10 years or more. I am exploring the world through various creative vibes. I am a
sensitive soul and a great believer in people. I never doubt anyone till proven
othe rwise. I believe totally that
what’s important in life is not how much money you have but how many hearts you
have touched. These people form your
roots and sometimes the wind beneath
your wings. We all need strong roots to
be able to bear the storms.
"Sun and Sand" - Mixed media on board - created by Shubhra Chaturvedi
Shubra Chatuverdi's drawing for BPProject
Shumbra Chatuverdi's portrait - photo by Kabeer Lal
Shubra Chatuverdi's drawing for BPProject
If you want to learn more about Shubra Chaturvedi, please visit:
Her blog (poems and
writings in Hindi and English):
Shows
April 2012 : ‘Maaya’,
a tribute to womanhood, group photography show at Arpana Caur Gallery, Siri
Fort Institutional Area, New Delhi.
January 2012 : ‘Samanvay’
solo show of paintings and photoart, at Open Palm Court, IHC, New Delhi
August 2011: ‘Transitions’
group photography show at the India
Habitat Centre, New Delhi
September 2010: ‘Spiti
Rendezvous’ group photography show at the
India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
March 2010 : ‘Nirantar’
painting and photography solo show at the
India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
October 2009 : ‘Jharokha’
solo show [painting] at the Maximum
Store, New Delhi
September 2009: ‘Chandratal
Blues: The Himalayas from macro to macro’ group photography show, Indipix Gallery,
New Delhi
"Illussions" - Installation at Delhi metro
"You are here" - Installation at Delhi metro -
"You are here" - Installation at Delhi metro ( blow up)
Work Experience
2011: Private mural
and landscape project commission for a retirement village in
Melur,
Coimbatore [Melur Meadows Alternate Lifestyle Pvt Ltd]
2011: Private mural commission by CPO of Radio
Mirchi [Mr. Tapas Sen]
2010: Installation project commission under DMRC
[Delhi Metro Rail Corporation]
Conducted After
School Activity Club-Art, for The Shriram School, Moulsari Avenue. Give private
art lessons to children.
Othe r
Details
Was a speaker at
TEDxknowledgecity, held in BIMTECH Greater Noida on 26th November
2011. The talk can be viewed at http://goo.gl/oLcHK
Worked at Aaj Tak
news channel as Senior HR professional for five and a half years. Twelve years
experience in Human Resource.
it was great reading about Shubhra. She is a great artist and an inspiration to many. Her art defines life in the modern world and is truly contemporary. Looking forward to more great work from her.
ReplyDeleteit was great reading about Shubhra. She is a great artist and an inspiration to many. Her art defines life in the modern world and is truly contemporary. Looking forward to more great work from her.
ReplyDeleteit was great reading about Shubhra. She is a great artist and an inspiration to many. Her art defines life in the modern world and is truly contemporary. Looking forward to more great work from her.
ReplyDeleteit was great reading about Shubhra. She is a great artist and an inspiration to many. Her art defines life in the modern world and is truly contemporary. Looking forward to more great work from her.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the 'Beuatiful People' world dear Shubhra - as expected your answers are cogent, well-thought out and consistent with whatever I have seen elsewhere as your comments. All the best for a wonderful future...
ReplyDeleteWarmest
Max