10 Questions with Sri Aditya
Sri Aditya is a Chennai-based Indian artist and architecture enthusiast who aims to explore the narrative of regions and personalities of people through digital media. Whether it be film photography, graphics, or presentation, the artist manages to seep through intricate places and markets as one who is adept at traveling. He touches lives with his beautiful art practice and brings out ideals that would otherwise go unnoticed. His art centres around the dynamic play of light and darkness, a blend of neutral colour schemes and geometric patterns. With the newfound digital space acquired for launching art, his endeavours have been to promote art designs and patterns as non-fungible tokens and unique currencies. Aditya's art is a dynamic blend of modernism in art and exploration of traditions and vintage art notions.
Sri Aditya - Portrait
ARTIST STATEMENT
Sri Aditya has travelled and wandered with a camera in hand ever since his childhood. It was his uncle who introduced him to the professional camera, one that he discovered places with and alternated as a way of painting images. As an enthusiast of the fine arts, architecture, murals and buildings, spaces and identities, he determines the scope and explores the facets of photography, digital art, and mixed media, which in turn move to produce parameters of places and people.
The fundamentals of black and white, minimalism in terms of colour, and shadow techniques encompass the essence of his style of art making. Lanes and passes, architectural structures, and traditional art making in local areas inspire his works.
The use of light and its playful synchronisation are key factors in his style. He has been creating digital art that projected out of a simple exploration within himself and became personal means of expression. Tattoo art and designs turned into digital art pieces and NFT projects. It was a personal and professional choice he made early on to keep most of his works untitled to allow purview and gauge unique ideas of his works from the audience. He thinks of film, photography, and design as glorious aspects of life, connecting and capturing beautiful moments in time.
People of Panna 2, Fine Art Photography, 11x16 in, 2019 © Sri Aditya
INTERVIEW
Please introduce yourself to our readers. Who is Sri Aditya in three words?
I am Sri Aditya, a photography graduate specialised in fine art photography. I am an analog photography, movies, and architecture enthusiast.
Your statement recalls how you first got introduced to professional cameras by your uncle and have been wandering with a camera ever since. What other experiences or encounters shaped you into the person you are today?
I have always been fascinated with taking photographs, be it on digital point-and-shoot cameras or mobile phones. When I was 11, I decided to learn photography after using my uncle's DSLR. I started researching about photography on YouTube. Over the course of a few years, I attended workshops to learn more. This knowledge came to use when my parents bought me my first camera at the age of 15.
People of Panna 1, Fine Art Photography, 11x16 in, 2019 © Sri Aditya
Pottery, Fine Art Photography, 11x16 in, 2020 © Sri Aditya
What inspired you to pursue a career in the visual arts field?
My curiosity about the industry and trying to combine symmetry and aesthetics in one frame led me to pursue a career in the visual arts field.
What do you wish you knew about contemporary art and the art market before embracing this career?
A few things that I wish I had known earlier were having a marketing strategy for my photographs and finding a good platform to showcase them.
People of Panna 3, Fine Art Photography, 11x16 in, 2019 © Sri Aditya
How do you work on a specific project? How do you choose what to document and how do you work on the project?
Whenever I find things that resonate with me, I tend to document them without overthinking about what I want to show to the audience. During post-production, I try to figure out what it is about that specific thing that drew me in and the emotions that I would like to showcase.
Do you have one series or project you are particularly proud of?
There are a number of projects that I am particularly proud of because they turned out better than I imagined.
Confined, Fine Art Photography, 3x5 in, 2021 © Sri Aditya
Ruins Of Dhanushkodi, Fine Art Photography, 11ix16 in, 2020 © Sri Aditya
What is one theme or story you would like to work on but still need to have the time or chance to address?
One theme that is common in most of my projects is 'Abstract in Spaces.' I try to find abstract forms, patterns, and shapes in my surroundings. Another theme that I keep in mind when I frame my shot is minimalism because it helps me achieve symmetry and balance in one frame.
What are you working on now? Do you have any new projects or exhibitions you would like to share with us?
I am currently applying for my Master's degree in cinematography. I am making a few short films for my application. My black and white photographs got selected for the REMINISCENCE photography exhibition in New Delhi hosted by Luna Arts.
The Silent Observer, Fine Art Photography, 5x3 in, 2020 © Sri Aditya
Is there anything else you would like to experiment with? Any technique or medium you would like to introduce in your work?
One thing I would like to experiment with more is film photography, as I am venturing more into it these days. I would also like to experiment with film photography during the night using an external flash as I feel that it visually represents freezing a moment in time.
And lastly, where do you see yourself five years from now?
Five years from now, I hope to have completed my Master's and to be working in the film industry while also working on my photography side by side.
