And so it goes...

Kiran Soni Gupta

Kiran Soni Gupta is an artist, writer and an activist administrator. She is presently Divisional Commissioner, Jaipur in Rajasthan. After joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1985 she has held various distinguished assignments in the Government of India, Kerala & Rajasthan. Kiran has studied public policy and development at the best schools, Maxwell Syracuse and the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University where she was a Mason Fellow in 2005-06. Her concerns about various contemporary issues have been expressed regularly in her writings in many national/ international newspapers/journals.

It is however through the brush and paint that Kiran’s creativity finds best illustration. Her works reflect not only her conviction on issues of women, children, poverty, development and environment, but also her sensitivity, keen observation, and also, an abounding faith in humanity.

From sketches, pen and ink works to mixed media, Kiran has given new dimensions to art forms, both traditional and modern. Creativity with colors and experimentation has given her work depth as well as impact. Diverse assignments have provided her opportunities to travel and also, to stay with amidst nature as different as the tropical forests and beaches of Kerala and the desert scrublands of Rajasthan. This exposure finds expression in her landscapes in oil, water colors and also mixed media. The iconic influence of the spirituality of her surroundings is seen in many of her paintings in the Tanjore style.

Kiran's association with well known artists & masters has led her to some of her best etchings, wood cuts, linocuts, lithography & calligraphies. Of late she has produced a series of more than three dozen works titled the 'Harmony' reflecting various forms of the relationships between man & his environment. She organized the “Kala Kumb" through community support in March 2003 that attracted a congregation of 150 artists from all over the country. Her works have been exhibited at different national/international events more recently at California, New York, Cambridge, Syracuse, Toronto, Chicago, London, Iran and Srilanka. More recently she had her exhibit “Beyond Strokes” at Roerich International Memorial Centre, Naggar, Kullu and “Desert Symphony” at Cottage Art Gallery, New Delhi. Her paintings on the “Famine" depicting its impact on women and children in India, won her a National Award in 2003. Another painting the “Matters of Heart" was commended in the All India Fine Arts Exhibition. She was also a visiting artist at the East West Centre, Hawaii. Her artworks auctions in Cambridge in 2007 for raising charity for children’s food and education have helped her in realizing her vision of art for social cause. She also won the Valparaiso Foundation Fellowship, Mojacar, Spain in 2007. She has been recently honored with the “Kala Shiromani Award”2008. The Times of India has brought out a book” Beyond Strokes” based on her selected artworks. She is now the distinguished recipient of the “Achiever of the Year 2009” and also the “Artist of the Year 2009”

I believe that man’s soul is the architect of history and that art is the manifestation of man’s soul & reflection of human identity and art materialized the deepest strata of man’s life. No art can fully express the hidden reality it is depicting and one must search beyond the lines, patterns, notes etc. Art is unbounded and recognizes no constraints.  
           
In modern era, art is playing a dominant role in bringing about social change transcending borders and minds. Art as such is the domain of the dialogue between civilizations and cultures; it can speak in loud and penetrating voice. Therefore, the pivot of dialogue is the society’s artists and thinkers. The language of painting and many arts is expressive indeed by which an immediate relationship is established. Artists show us new ways to see familiar things, and how to interpret new situations and events through various kinds of visual shorthand. Art is most often seen as pleasing the eye- creating beauty. Yet the idea of beauty, like that of truth, has been most challenging in the present day era. If something moves you to an understanding somehow unreachable for you by the common paths of words and reason, it's Art for you. Art is a process, a dialog, not a cause-and-effect like many people seem to think. Art is not for the sake of anything…. Rather it is not a means to achieve something but each art work in its own right depicts the image of the soul of artists and society at large.

To pave the ground for the artist to be able to work freely and spontaneously is need of the hour. The greatest achievement of art is to extend and expand our shared common visual language. I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream. My aim is to share Indian art across the borders and to pick up and recognize the commonalities in human beings transcending barriers of religion, language, culture, food habits but sharing and experiencing the same emotions and aspirations.

For me the truth rings in words of Paul Klee, “A single day is enough to make us a little larger or, another time, a little smaller’.

Personal Data

·      Name	Kiran Soni Gupta Indian Administrative Service
·      Address	Divisional Commissioner, I-29 Gandhi Nagar Jaipir 302015
·      Telephone	91-141-5104400 work 91-141-2703052 home 9414129333
Fax	91-141-5104400
·      Website	www.kiransoniarts.com www.worldartemporium.co.uk
·      E-mail address	Kiran_Gupta@ksg06.harvard.edu Kiransoni85@hotmail.com
·      Date of Birth	22 June, 1960
·      Gender	Female
·      Nationality	Indian
·      Martial Status	Married

 

“Her work demonstrates both mastery in technique and sensitivity & empathy of social issues.  Has potential to promote art in big way.”

Jatin Das

 

“Her depiction & presentation of Rajasthan themes is enchanting.”

Manu Parekh

 

“It is a show in which the wide range of themes and styles portrays an active & searching mind with a meticulous concern for craft……. evidence of her organizational abilities as much as of her devotion to art.”

Prof. Ashley Halpe, Srilanka

“We were immediately struck by the artist’s freedom of expression as demonstrated by her many different styles and techniques.  The walls were virtually covered by a synthesis of traditional Indian art and the contemporary style of a truly accomplished portrait painter.  Interspersed between bright, colorful works in the Tanjore and other traditional Indian styles were many almost parched, desert scenes of Rajasthan and powerful portraits of its people.”

Daisy Campbell, Srilanka 

"..........I was deeply touched with her works on the issues relating to women, poverty, environment and particularly her paintings like "Mother and Child", Hidden Me", "Secret Marriage", "Reflections", "Fire" etc.  Her Tanjore paintings seeped in spirituality and mythology also leave a deep impact on the human mind.  Her best etchings, woodcuts, linocuts, lithography and oils speak volumes on her artistic sense and abilities...." 

Ram V.Sutar,
Sculptor

"........She has beautifully portrayed her experiences in the field particularly women's issues.  The sensitivity and spontaneity is reflected in her ink drawings, etchings, linocuts and oil work.   Achieving perfection in every technique without any formal training is certainly a creditable achievement....."          

R.D.Pareek.

 

"........She has been sincerely devoting herself creatively acquiring the technical skills of many traditional & modern art forms.  Her achievements as painter are amazing......"          

Chinmaya Mehta
Chairman, Rajathan Lalit Kala Academy

".......the grace of the artist is reflected in the traditional art which has roots in Indian culture.  It looks as if all styles of traditional art forms would be recreated in future.............It also reflects her enthusiasm to achieve definite heights in her life......"     

Shamendu Sonavane.

"......Her paintings cover a wide range both in terms of themes & medium.  She does Paintings in Stained Glass, Tanjores, Oils, Graphics and Mixed Media.  She is quite competent in figurative, abstracts, landscapes but her fort is doing popular deities which create deep spiritual feelings in the minds of viewers. Her Art has roots in the Indian soil..."         
 S.S.Hitkari.

“The vibrancy and versatility in Kiran’s art easily engages an onlooker. I appreciate her mission to link art with social cause……”

Mary Hart

“Kiran has effectively interwoven her world of art and administration. An underlying sensitivity and an empathetic attitude along with creativity places her in an extraordinary category of an accomplished artist and a successful administrator….”

Matilde de Fabregart

“Her work is truly beyond strokes……. Much more to unravel beyond lines and contours”

Alena Adamakova

“ I am deeply impressed by her talent……. Her contribution has enriched Indian Civil Service and Indian art equally….

K M Chandrasekhar

“The power, the passion and the deep sensitivity with play of colors never fails stir my deepest emotions…….

Gowher Rizvi