Artist Bio:
Born in Burdwan, West Bengal, Sumana Som completed her bachelors from College of Art & Design, University of Burdwan (2011), West Bengal and Masters from University of Hyderabad, Telangana (2013).
She works with dichotomy of peopleโs behaviors and proverbs used for the representation of ideal facts. To some extent, there are some human habits in society such as bullying, discrimination, stereotypes, latent desire, insecurity and aspirations that come in the form of words and pictures in work. The use of works evolves from short stories, novels and cinema, particularly Bengali literature and sometimes Hindi film in which all behavioural perceptions are distinctly visible.
Sumana Som currently lives and works in Hyderabad.
Artist Statement:
In continuation to her previous practice of map-making, exploring the visual aesthetics of cartography and looking up to Indian miniature paintings to understand the spatial relations, ๐ฆ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐บ has developed her recent series of works on fabric that primarily deals with spatial encounter and layered emotions that it entails. The ongoing Covid situation has instigated her to think about space from new perspectives. While talking about space, Sumana addresses the related factors like distance, boundaries, ownership, encroachment and power structure.
Using embroidery and drawing in her works as prevailing mediums, Sumana narrates the dramatic moments that come alive through the dialogue between living and non-living beings with their surroundings. The aspiration to occupy and own space and continue to exist in the world is an innate human desire. Sumanaโs stitched and painted textile works talk about this reality of impermanence.
Three works in the exhibition, Piece of Land, Neighbours and Landlord, represent the spaces shared by humans, animals, vegetals and objects and the anxiety the occupants feel in the process of co-existence
