Behind his brushstrokes, Shafi Chaman carries an expressive poet on canvas. His admirers call him a wizard of koshur art, but his adversaries brand his brainchild as “duality”.
At his Mumbai address, where he showcases his homeland’s handicrafts, Chaman laughs at the comparative analysis. He’s conscious of times when art is facing cutting activism and cancel culture. Does that bother him?
“Not at all,” he replies with a certain defance in his demeanor. “Art is open to interpretations, but the mindless bracketing of someone’s labour of love needs check and balance.”
After measured pauses and thoughtful glances, he delves deep into his art.
As someone shuttling between Mumbai and Kashmir, myriad moments have already shaped his journey as an artist. “I remember Kashmir University offering me a wide range of services,” Chaman converses with ease and eagerness.
“And then I also got the opportunity to pursue the MFA painting course at Sir JJ School of Art University of Mumbai. That’s the basis of my frequent trips. And during the course, the varied cultural scenarios glued transformative effect upon my perception.”
That sounds quite artistic, but what explains half-human, half-animal figures in your paintings that evoke deep mythological themes?
Well, much of that comes from the traditional folk theatre of Kashmir. It has always been my source of inspiration.
The entertainers and their performance often involve skits, wearing attractive costumes. The powerful facial expressions and hand gestures further depict every day life and social issues.
So yes, it’s quite rooted in our culture.
But sadly, the same culture often passes through a litmus test, dismissing art as ‘duality’. How do you respond to that?
I’ve a simple answer to that. Being a figurative artist, my art contains the multiple meanings, allowing the viewers to carve out the multiple interpretations.
So, it’s upto people to believe in their own perceptions, if not propaganda.
Again, does it bother you as an artist?
Never! That’s how it is.
Alright, your artistic process has been described as ‘sowing’ characters onto the canvas. Can you elaborate on how you develop a composition?
Well, figurative art aims to create something that exists in life, it can also go beyond mere depictions to explore deeper meanings and emotions.
I mainly focus on the architecture and the language, the paintings, colour, depth, volume and the spirit.
The characters and the other objects burst out of the dark with immediacy, the new normal of the present time.
That’s pretty spontaneous! But as someone rooted in Kashmir’s cultural landscape, have you encountered misrepresentation of your work or intent?
Since long, Kashmir has been an all-weather hot topic, anyone fantasize things on the basis of the probability.
We should leave it there.
But then, in today’s world of misinformation, where narratives are often hijacked, how important is it for an artist to set the record straight?
Yes, the misinformation campaign is always destructive for all walks of life. Countering misinformation and the biased assumptions effectively is the need of time.
If not, there’s every apprehension of losing the cultural asset.
Fair enough, but how do you see the role of artists in preserving and shaping cultural narratives?
Art plays a vital role in the society by fostering intellectual thinking, skills and promoting social awareness and enriching the human experience.
Therefore, artists have a great role to play in preserving and shaping cultural narratives.
Mr Shafi Chaman, it was pleasure talking to you!
The pleasure was all mine! Conversations like these remind me why meaningful dialogue is so powerful. Looking forward to crossing paths again soon!
