Im/Material: The many colours of Amitab’s nostalgia

Raised in a mud hut, Amitab vividly recalls how the rain would cause cracks to appear in the walls, creating intricate patterns where water touched. He always wanted to capture these fleeting moments on canvas.

In his debut exhibition, Amitab Sarker captures deeply personal memories like his childhood home and the adventures life took him on afterwards. The artist transports outsiders into his memories, through the use of clay as a medium, and earth-like colours. In one particular piece, he even draws nostalgic games like tic-tac-toe over the clay backdrop.

The curtains of 'Im/Material' were raised on 30 August at Kala Kendra, Lalmatia, and will fall on 17 September. 

After Sarker completed his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, India, he was eager to showcase the knowledge and experiences he had accumulated, and the result of that is Im/Material.

Unlike traditional exhibitions, Sarker left the spaces beneath the paintings bare, devoid of any descriptions or titles. But as the stories behind the exhibition unfurl, each piece starts to make a little more sense. 

One of the materials used that stand out the most is the clay on canvas. 

Being the son of a fisherman, Amitab developed an affinity for clay while working alongside his father, forging a deep connection with the element. Through his art, he also explores his relationship with nature, and his profound bond with clay, as he grew up in the Sundarbans.

"My house was made of earth and my life's journey brought me close to nature. That's why deep down I've always wanted to explore it in my art and Im/Material embodies that vision," shared Amitab.

Upon closer inspection, you will begin to notice the details that went behind bringing these memories to life. 

"Considering how Amitab's art is a reflection of his past, we decided to paint a few of the exhibition rooms yellow to enhance the clay canvases on display," shared the curator, Sharmillie Rahman.

She continues, "This choice was made to create a deeper connection between the present and past, enriching the viewer's experience within the cosy space of Kala Kendra." 

Although his paintings are influenced by his formal academic training, he aims to break free from conventional methods. The shapes and the colours work together to tell the tale of how the artist sees himself between nature and city life. 

"Starting from rural origins, Amitab's art reflects his constant movement and transition. His abstract geometric forms echo this shifting experience, while the constraints of city life are symbolised by the confined shapes in his work," shared Sharmillie.

Aside from his childhood experiences, he also explored the journeys life took him on through his art.

As he travels to different places, he enjoys being an observer of nature. He describes it as watching the world through a "bird's eye." He particularly recalls a memorable bicycle trip from Chandigarh to Ladakh. This adventure allowed him to witness the ever-changing hues of the hills as the sun rose and set, which was reflected on his canvas. 

Unfortunately, at times, it felt like exploring these different stages in life was too much for a single display under one roof. It took away from the coherence and flow of the overall exhibition. 

However, the dominant colour palette worked in its favour, creating a tie between the pieces. Amitab's use of vibrant earth-tones is intentional. In fact, each colour acts as a central character in his pieces.