Artline

His work stands out sharply. Completely modern in its sensibility, Harpeet Singh's work is very much a reflection of the modern environme...

His work stands out sharply. Completely modern in its sensibility, Harpeet Singh8217;s work is very much a reflection of the modern environment he grew up in. Born, brought up and educated in Chandigarh, his creations are directly related to the spirit of the city.

An alumnus of the Government College of Art, Chandigarh, Harpreet joined the Applied Arts stream only because it was difficult to get the course. Since he had a strong base in sketching and drawing at school, after one year at the Government College for Men, Harpreet joined the Art College. 8220;Though I was sound, the only thing that I had known was the Applied Arts was the most difficult course to get in. So that is where I wanted to be8221;, says Harpreet. Harpreet during his years at art school mastered the techniques of illustrations, colour scheming and design.

Harpreet is an absolute maverick of sorts. 8220;I do many things at a time. I like to explore the possibilities and intensity of the medium that I am working on. My work does not enclose itself in a particular theory-based boundary8221;, says Harpreet. He is a painter, cartoonist, graphic artist and expert at applied arts.

Exploring material and forms is an important aspect of Harpreet8217;s work. 8220;For me, material represents the work frequency. I like to explore the temperament of the form represented. I experiment with shape and composition. Making different arrangements, mixing and matching are a way of work for Harpreet. He plays with colour to highlight the intensity of his emotions and experiences. 8220;Recently I have done some work in vibrant and bright colors. Blue is one of my favorite colours,quot; says Harpreet.

Harpreet also tends to involve emotions in his work. 8220;I personlise my work, the experiences of my life are reflected in my works. My subjects are based on my life, I don8217;t have to go looking for them. I use things like tickets I travel on, the scooter that I ride, the scenery that I see. It is important for me to see and feel things to project them in my work. Basically life inspires me8221;, he sums up. Harpreet8217;s works have a layering quality. 8220;I apply opaque colors rarely mix colours . Maybe it is the medium of acrylics which inspires me8221;, says Harpreet.

As a cartoonist his approach is dramatic and complex. quot;I like to represent things symbolically through elaborate situations. There is no point in representing exactly the same thing that is present. There is nothing artistic about that. What I should do is represent things according to my own sensibility, that is what my contribution as an artist is8221;, he asserts. He completely disagrees with artists who do the typical cut and paste kind of work. 8220;Upcoming artists lack originality. Just because Ganesh is popular so the artist must paint it. What is so innovative about that?8221;

For Harpreet, art is a celebration, whether his work will sell or not, whether the critics will write about the show is immaterial. Harpreet has donated part of the proceeds of the sale of his works to the People For Animals. What is most important for him is the process of work, and if the direction is right then everything else is secondary.