Chandrima Bhattacharya's artwork seamlessly weaves together fragments of life experiences,juxtaposing the profound and the mundane in intricate sequences of time and space. Her creative process involves distilling her emotions into images drawn from the depths of her subconscious, blending real-life events and objects to craft dreamlike scenarios that blur the lines between reality and surreality.
Viewers may find themselves drawn into her art, discovering echoes of their own dreams, nightmares, or forgotten archetypal emotions from childhood. Chandrima's affinity for miniatures is evident in her artistic style, which draws inspiration from India's rich miniature painting traditions, particularly Mughal and Pahari art, as well as traditional and contemporary miniature crafts.
Her artwork is characterized by meticulous attention to detail, presented in a miniaturist format that balances precision with subtlety. Chandrima incorporates current events and personal fascinations into her unique visual language, crafting textured, emotive tapestries filled with intricate dots, dashes, and color swatches.
While her work exhibits a clear dedication to detail, Chandrima also embraces ambiguity, often omitting unnecessary elements. Her bold execution and decorative flair – evident in her loving depiction of garments, architecture, and ornate details verging on kitsch – underscore her individualistic artistic voice.
As art critic Roobina Karode observes, Chandrima's artwork features recurring motifs, such as insects, cats, lizards, and tendrils, which conjure an uncanny atmosphere. Her paintings often focus on the female form, capturing women lost in thought, suspended between reality and contemplation. These images evoke hope, anticipation, and the silent whispers of the mind.
(Source: Roobina Karode, from Chandrima Bhattacharyya's solo show, Art Heritage gallery, Delhi, 2002)
