Locomotive - VIII

Nostalgia is an exhibition of paintings on Indian steam locomotives by Kishore Pratim Biswas at Jehangir Art Gallery from April 9 to 15. 

Whether it is showcasing the Indian railways of the early 1970s or celebrating Indian steam locomotives, Kishore Pratim Biswas' series of paintings on steam locomotives represents a distinctive collection. A Mumbai-based artist, each of Mr. Biswas's paintings tells the story of daily life in the Indian Railways' steam locomotive workshop of the 1970s. 

Kishore Pratim Biswas was born in 1971 in Kolkata, the city of joy. His work has been exhibited in several solo and group exhibitions in India and abroad. The artist skillfully combines several versatile techniques. He experiments with different painting styles to continually improve his skills. 

Indian steam locomotives had an unusual character which is reflected in my paintings. The engine colors were mainly black and gray, while the body looked too muddy, dusty, and dirty, giving its surface a unique look that gave the locomotives a distinctive character. I have never found anything as interesting as these locomotives in the world. I liked the ineffable atmosphere of the white steam and the black engine, which was a spectacular visual experience. I feel crazy when I see these locomotives and I love painting them live in watercolor, oil, pen, and ink sketches, says Kishore. 

Although these beauties are no longer in action, they continue to fascinate me. When he was in Calcutta, he regularly went to the railway workshop in the mornings to draw the locomotives. However, one particular day in the early '90s turned out to be a dark day for me. I saw the locomotives dismantled and discarded for scrap metal because the steam locomotives were no longer running. It was a very shocking experience for me and I was left in tears realizing that it also meant that I would no longer be able to finish my series on Indian steam locomotives, he adds. 

Each painting captures a unique group of locomotive workers reflecting the artist's close observation of people on the Indian railways of the 1970s. 

I have captured the movement of people including the firefighter, signalman, technician, machinist, and other people working in the locomotive workshops. My paintings always have a deep expression of the characters, the faces are bearded and too dark with a red pagri (turban) which looks very unusual, says Kishore. 

Sometimes he traveled on the engine with the engineer. It was an extraordinary experience. I was able to witness how they work closely. The engine used to be very hot and they had to spend a lot of time on it and they still kept a smiling face and never complained, he says. 

It's a glimpse into the life of the Indian Railways in the 1970s. 

I am happy because when I look at my canvas, I don't have to compare my work with others, since my subject is such. I don't compare the way I look, the way I feel, the work I do. I don't compare my level of happiness. I do not compare my achievements because I have spent many years painting the subject of my choice. I feel incomparable and I don't believe in this race of who is better than who, Kishore concludes.

BORN

1971 Calcutta, West Bengal

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

1997 Bachelor of Fine Arts and Painting from Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

1996 The Green, Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta

2014 Steam Locomotive Nostalgia, Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai

2015 Indian locomotives outside the museum, Lalit Kala Akademy, Delhi

2018 Nostalgia Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

2018 Nostalgia for Steam Locomotives, National Railway Museum, Delhi

2018 Nostalgia, Heritage Transport Museum, Delhi

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

1995 Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta

2002 Summer Meeting Gallery 88, Kolkata

2009 Flute Art, Bangalore

2013 JS Art Gallery, Mumbai

2015 JS Art Gallery Curenta Group Show, Dubai

2015 JS Art Gallery, Mumbai

2015 Three-Dimensional Chitrakala Parish, Bengaluru

2015 Curenta Group Exhibition by Art Karna, Dubai

2016 Art Beyond Borders by Art Mudra, Dubai

2016 Spring Color by Cymroza Art Gallery, Mumbai

2016 The Art Conclave by ICAC, Mumbai

2016 Lands inside The Egg Art Studio, Delhi

2016 Summer Art by ICAS - Vilas Fine Art, London

2017 Art & Abode by Stanley Boutique and Art Vault, Delhi

Summer Art 2018 by ICAS - Vilas Fine Art, London

2022 Thrang by Painted Rhythm Art Gallery, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

2022 Banyan's Ficci Flo Art Gallery, Hyatt Regency, Ludhiana

2022 CARDS Palash Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata

PARTICIPATIONS

1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 Annual Exhibition of the Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta

1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 Annual Exhibition of the State Academy

1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 Annual Exhibition of Government College of Arts and Crafts, Kolkata

1993, 1994, 1995 Annual Exhibition of the Society of Oriental Arts

HONORS AND AWARD

1995 Sunil Das Award from Government College of Art & Craft