10 Questions with Samruddhi Duratkar

Samruddhi Ramesh Duratkar is a Maharashtra, India-based student-artist who works mainly in body painting media. Samruddhi is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, and is seeking art and exploring its depth.

Environmental concerns are Samruddhi's primary motivation. She uses these crucial topics and explains why she chose to create the artwork and overcome obstacles to thrive. She warns people against mistreating nature for financial gain and alludes to the ultimate futility of environmental destruction. Her response to what she sees as an injustice—people irresponsibly exploiting the Earth's ecosystems—is specifically the artwork's foundation.

On the one hand, the artist believes machines as one of the most fundamentally revolutionary technologies that mankind has ever experienced, but on the other, she believes that this transformational ability should make us nervous and cautious. Not to mention that dependence on or addiction to technology can have adverse psychological effects and severely increase a person's physical and mental isolation. She wonders if the automated machines that build our cars or the virtual assistants who employ conversational interfaces to help us around the house are just two examples of how robots are already all around us. But as noticed, they're not yet appropriate for every aspect of life. She questions everyone by asking, will that alter in the future?

She tries to express both of these elements through her art and finds the challenging medium of body paint and face-ISM to be a perfect reflection of the often uncontrollable world around us.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

In this series of artwork, she tries to express herself, stating, "I believe people lack anger in the right area and in the right situation. This harsh reality of today makes me sad. Not the irrational anger aimed at everything and nothing. However, the sort of passion that makes one get out of bed in the morning and motivates us to use the strength that resides within us is much needed in today's time". She uses her skills to speak out about the injustice against the planet. Now is the time for everyone to stand up for each life form in existence. This is a call to save the planet.

She believes our fear of AI is basically our fear of losing our employment and/or having our humanity taken away. She understands that it's crucial to start the narrative advocating a cooperative machine-human future rather than downplaying the risks of AI, even while certain concerns may lead to reasonable caution.

She uses paint to smear abstract ideas and inspirations on the purity of the human canvas. She places a strong emphasis on strongly perceived feelings and experiences. Since she's spent her entire life close to greenery and the environment, she finds that this just serves as her greatest source of inspiration. Her art aims to create strong, vivid, adventurous pieces by fusing the joy of being carefree with the story of colours, mediums, and expressions. She sees everything in emotions and expresses that vividness in her art. Her art captures your attention and then asks you to examine your own values, the reasons behind them, and the values shared by the community.

The Intertwined, Body paint, 2022 © Samruddhi Ramesh Duratkar

INTERVIEW

When and how did you start getting involved with art?

To be honest, it's a question I frequently ask my parents. They don't have an answer either, possibly because I didn't show them my work at first, thinking it might not have been satisfactory. Sometimes you do things for such a long period that it becomes a part of your soul's journey, and you are unable to trace their beginnings since they may have vanished along with your life. I guess I've been drawing for around 18 years, and my most recent artwork was done during the pandemic, and the one before that was done in the same year, around May.
But if you were to ask me where I learned to draw, I would say it came from my lovely mother. She has a wonderful talent for painting, making rangolis, and applying mehendi (henna tattoos); my father is always supportive. However, I had trouble using paint, so I leaned more toward face/body painting and expressionism, and ever since the pandemic, face painting, and FACE-ism have been my jolly friends. I remember it was the middle of 2014 when I first got involved in face painting! Those colours were my first love, and I could see clearly what a human canvas does. Oh boy! The swirl of raw emotions and colours made me stare at it for a while and think, "As I've always been connected to nature and mother earth, with that concern, would I ever be able to use my art for a bigger purpose?"

What is for you the most enjoyable part of your work?

I can monitor my own development. I am almost positive that the artwork I produce now will not be the same as that I produced when I first learned. Making art is a lifelong learning process that lasts throughout your lifetime. One of the most rewarding and exciting aspects of my work as an artist is seeing my own development. And as for myself, I think that creating and the act of art allow you to learn and develop continuously. I realize that our development as an artist will happen whether we master new skills or practice to get better.

Masquerade, Body paint, 2022 © Samruddhi Ramesh Duratkar

Let's talk about your work. What inspired you to work with body painting?

As a self-taught artist, it was art itself that encouraged me to discover who I was. I remember being body shamed as a child, not just by complete strangers or friends, but even by my close members. But art has always been a stronghold for me. I used to enjoy doodling and drawing, and I can still clearly recall how it made me feel: calm, relaxed, focused, and positive—all things I needed at the time.
Every day I started painting more and more. The answers I was looking for became more evident to me as I painted and relaxed my thoughts. Through art, I discovered who I truly am.
Bullies have turned into my strength, and the same body that was once deemed unfit has given me the ability to stand up to them. It could refer to any part of the human body, irrespective of its shape, size, colour, age, or gender. In addition, I adore how the paint feels on human skin since it imparts a raw appearance while simultaneously illuminating the depth of their emotions and soul.

How do you choose the subjects to paint and the right person to paint them on?

We are intrigued and drawn to the human bodies covered in paint. The combination of using one of the most primal and profound canvases (the human body) along with shocking and/or gorgeous body designs guarantees that the artwork will be noticed and remembered clearly in any scenario. The realism that may be attained by body paint can entirely change the appearance of the human body, allowing one to see into the soul of the subject! Purely methodical art, such as painting or sculpture, may evoke feelings of vibrancy or movement, but these works are static in nature, in contrast to body painting, which is made of living things that are dynamic and have various personalities, expressions, and bodies as an outcome. Apart from that, I feel one's confidence plays the primary and most crucial role while showcasing art.
This is something I keep in mind very carefully and intentionally since the technique I use differs from paintings on canvas or paper. I may be a good painter, but body painting is difficult. Each part of the body has a unique texture, gesture, and vibrancy. I'm still in the learning stages of this craft. I still don't know which colour will appear on a certain body in what manner. In that sense, there is no doubt that this art form is incredibly difficult yet never fails to amaze with its outcome.

Origin Face-ISM or Facial expression, 2022 © Samruddhi Ramesh Duratkar

Withdrawal Facial-ISM or Facial expression, 2022 © Samruddhi Ramesh Duratkar

Where do you find inspiration for your work and what is your creative process like?

To begin with, I must respond to your question by stating that, while I do not feel particularly passionate, I am deeply worried about what I see to be incorrect and that people should be made aware of.
I create a lot of my work out of pain. I sometimes try to capture a transient moment of beauty in a more enduring form when I produce it, and that frustrates me as well.
Rest is necessary for creativity so that I can have the energy to push through the discomfort of birthing my thoughts into valuable creative output. I first write down ideas as soon as I have them in my mind. I've jotted down too many thoughts ever to get them all out.
Additionally, it takes a lot of self-control to just sit down and work through the challenge of producing whatever comes to mind. I occasionally find it in catastrophes. Going back and starting over with the next concept requires a certain amount of perseverance.
I'm always working on a variety of projects, but only because I enjoy doing so. I don't really consider the outcome of my projects or what might arise from them too much; instead, I consider the gratification that comes from the act of letting my imagination flow.

How would you define your style? And how has it evolved over the years?

I've earned a reputation as an artist who likes, let's say, a slightly livelier-than-average canvas. Modeling combined with body painting is more similar to acting than conventional modeling. I enjoy adopting a persona or evoking feelings to give life to the artwork. I adore how a small change in posture or eye expression, the addition of an interactive element, or the use of a prop can complete an image. The look of an artwork can be radically altered by even a slight head tilt. Imagine, however, being able to talk with the canvas along with the artist and define its relationship with the creative process and the finished product.
I had already decided on a medium, and I had first believed that in order to establish a distinct artistic style, I had to stick with it. But after a while, I found myself growing bored. I wanted to explore and try out new tools.
I resisted for a while before giving in and allowing myself to go exploring. I fully changed my toolset and started painting. I thought I had (again) discovered my thing doing that for a few months, but eventually, I became bored (again). I returned to body painting as a result, but this time I added props and worked with other surreal concepts. At that time, I started to realize how, despite being entirely different from me, all of these groups of work nevertheless resembled me.
I made the decision then and there to go wherever my instincts and passions took me. I no longer get attached to any one method, tool, or set artistic style; instead, I switch tools every few months, hopping from obsession to obsession, letting one tool lead to the next.
Exploring new media is liberating, and contrary to my earlier fears, it hasn't held me back or confused my audience in the least. I now understand that in spite of what other people might suggest—sticking to one thing or settling for a niche—I can create art that feels like me using any tool.

Denial Face-ISM or Facial expression, 2022 © Samruddhi Ramesh Duratkar

What do you hope that the public takes away from your work?

When I intentionally include a message in my work, something happens that evokes an emotional response from some viewers—though not all viewers may experience the same reaction. People who saw the recent piece of art told me they enjoyed looking at it and could connect with it. But some of the works left them lost or troubled. I do not intend to please anyone. Instead, I aim to use my artwork as a way to speak about my (personal) perspective on the world and how people fit into it. People typically picture odd creations and exquisite, complicated paintings hanging in museums when they think of art. In essence, creating artwork is a creative process, but art itself may also have a purpose, which is the core concept of my series. I want folks to know that I'm doing this to spread awareness of problems like climate change and mental health that affect us on a daily basis. My work serves a reason. I give it life, give it shape, and release it into the world to communicate my hopes, fears, and screams to all other individuals. It's how I introduce myself to them and help them discover who they are in the process. It's a chance for me to open up about my life and experiences with people I may never meet, as well as a promise that they are not alone in their pain and an opportunity to connect.

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future in terms of new projects?

There are no significant or forthcoming projects for me. But I want to carry out research and evaluation of my artwork. Participating in Turn it Around! Flashcards for Education Futures project, developed by Arizona State University and Artists' Literacies Institute in partnership with the Open Society Foundations and UNESCO's Futures of Education initiative, is not an extension of my work; rather, I see it as a fantastic opportunity to share my artwork and its purpose with the world. I genuinely enjoy being a part of it. Even body painting qualifies as an event in my eyes, so I've taken it very seriously. According to an old adage, you can't force creation. That may be the case, but I believe one can definitely coax it out with good habits and a framework that will help us succeed.

Do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations you are looking forward to?

Although gaining wisdom has no definite age, I don't currently have any major initiatives in the works, but I'm always open to the new opportunities that are brought to me because they ultimately aid in my personal growth.

Finally, share something you would like the world to know about you?

Art is one of those special and diverse subjects that allows my ideas to be expressed via a number of mediums, where I'm not restricted to just pencil and paint. I have generally observed that what drives me to achieve anything is purely down to my questioning nature. I love the exploration of the unknown and envisioning things from a different perspective from others. In addition to being a means of self-expression, art serves me as a window into human society and a window into my own inner self.
For me, being able to express myself creatively without being limited by preconceived notions is what makes art. I was offered the chance to finish a special project in my first core learning, which allowed me to explore anything I wanted. I decided to focus on the critical issue of climate change, which enabled me to empathize with nature and all living things and appreciate their aesthetic beauty. I had complete freedom to experiment with different concepts, tilting them either in a positive or negative manner.
We all think in pictures, so exploring various art and design techniques helps me to refine the image of the world I have in my head. My art and design course has given me the opportunity to explore these various disciplines. I particularly enjoyed the collaboration with Unique Me. Creating and envisioning the world in pictures is a universal phenomenon built into our DNA. However, I do still feel that I am quite ignorant and still have much more to learn.

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