Shikha Agnihotri Pandey

Acrylic on Canvas

Acrylic on Canvas

Shikha Agnihotri
Email:

Mob: 9289500841, 9289044197

• Born: 22-Feb-1981 (Kanpur)

• Education: P.hd.

• Solo Shows
o Solo Exhibition at Aparna Art Gallery, Sirifort, Delhi, September 2010
o Solo Exhibition at Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Delhi, 2010.
o Solo Exhibition at Press Club of India, Delhi in the year April, 2009.
o Solo Exhibition at Lalit Kala Academy, Lucknow in the year 2008.
o Solo Exhibition at Chikutasi Kala Mela, Kanpur in the year 2003 & 2005.
o Solo Exhibition at Kala Mela, Phool Bagh, Kanpur, 2004 .

• Group Show
o Group Exhibition at Lokayata Art Gallery, Hauz Khas Village, Delhi, Feb 2011
o Group Exhibition at Conventional Hall, India Habitat Centre, Delhi, 2010
o Group Exhibition at Gallerie Ruki, Ladu Sarai, Delhi, on Acrylic on canvas, 2010.
o Group Exhibition at Atelier - La Cafe, Sapurjat, Delhi, on Acrylic on canvas, 2010.
o Group Exhibition at Lokayata Art Gallery, Hauz Khas, Delhi, on Acrylic on canvas, 2009.
o Group Exhibition at Chikutasi Kala Mela, Kanpur in the year 2007.

• Interview
o Magazine Interview in Woman’s Era, July (First) 2010.
o Magazine Interview in Alive, December 2010.

Apostgraduate in drawing
from Kanpur University and
PhD holder on Bharatiya
Chitroon Mein Khanijon Ki
Bhoomika, Shikha’s father
played a great role in
moulding her daughter’s
career as an artist. Her
works seem to
communicate messages
through their visual language. There
was an array of styles which are
capable of displaying emotions and
sensibility. The paintings exuded an
innocent charm through their
depictions. She does not believe in
decorating or giving detailing to her
work, even that simplistic and
minimalistic work attracts the
viewers. Krishna is her favourite
subject, and her series is based on
his romantic emotions which is a very
different form. She also likes to depict
strong personality of woman, her
positive aspects and power.
Excerpts from an interview:
Why are you an artist?
I don’t know why I’m an artist, but I
should say art is in my blood. I
like to paint, so I am an
artist.
What have been
major influences in
your life and art?
If I had to think of one
person who influenced
my life tremendously, it
would have to be my father
who helped inculcate in me
this interest at an early age. He
himself is a poet and that is how I
can say that artistic knack is in my
genes.
Tell us something about your
style of work?
It is semi-realistic from the
beginning. I had never tried to make
my work very realistic, instead I
believe in showing the expressions
through lines only. I feel the detailing
or overdoing mars the essence of the
thoughts and depiction.
Do you think that being a
full-time freelance artist is a
tough task and one has to
work hard to survive?
I am lucky that I had my
father’s support but after
coming to Delhi, it was not
easy for me to establish
myself in terms of financial
aspect. Fact is that this
financial issue often
hampers the creative part of
3 Woman’s Era
July (First) 2010 3
SIMPLICITY
An artist who
craves for praise
from the
common man.
By ‘Vatsal’
ALLURING
2 Woman’s Era
July (First) 2010 2
Shikha Agnihotri
Mob: 9289500841, 9289044197
Email:

Born: 22-Feb-1981 (Kanpur)
Education: PhD. on Drawing &
Painting - Topic - Bhartiya
Chitrakala Mein Khanijon Ki
Bhumika from C.S.J.M. University,
Kanpur.
Solo Shows
Solo Exhibition in Press Club of
India, Delhi in April, 2009; Solo
Exhibition in Lalit Kala Academy,
Lucknow in the year 2008; Solo
Exhibition in Chikutasi Kala Mela,
Kanpur in the year 2003 & 2005;
Solo Exhibition in Kala Mela,
Phool Bagh in the year 1998.
Group Show
Group Exhibition in Atelier - La
Cafe, Sapurjat, Delhi, on Acrylic
on canvas, 2010; Group Exhibition
in Lokayata Art Gallery, Hauz
Khas, Delhi, on Acrylic on canvas,
2009; Group Exhibition in
Chikutasi Kala Mela, Kanpur in the
year 2001 & 2007.
Awards
Solo Exhibition in Chikutasi Kala
Mela, Kanpur in the year 2003 &
2005 on Oil and Water colour
medium; Solo Exhibition in Kala
Mela, Phool Bagh in the year 1998
on Oil and Water colour medium.
Workshop
Reflections of Vastu in painting
that improve the lifestyle in Interior
Designing.
Collections
Many Collection in art galleries in
India as well as in USA, London
and Australia.
Sanyasi
an artist. The question of livelihood
is very big and if you don’t have any
solid background or financial security
then sometimes artist has to
compromise with his/her work.
Working as a freelance artist is no
doubt a tough task and requires lot of
patience.
What is your opinion regarding
the current artists and trend in the
art market?
I also belong to the category of
current artists and for me everything
is very positive and encouraging. Art
market is also very affirmative.
Opening of the art galleries are in a
way good to explore the new
avenues, especially for the young
artists. I think the future of the new
generation is very bright in every field
and they can prosper if they have an
inclination and positive attitude.
These days’ people are drawn
towards the art and parents are also
encouraging their teenagers to join
this field.
How big is the international
market for Indian art today?
Indian art is getting acclamation
because of our senior artists in the
international market. Outside India
people have started taking interest in
our art as they sense that it has a
feel of spirituality. And it emerges
from the heart and soul. That is why
the concept of Indian art is attracting
them. Especially in Dubai, you will
find that Indian art market is growing
immensely. In my view Indian art
would capture the international
market very soon as it is connected
with the soul.
Which class purchases
paintings?
These days the attitude towards
the art work has totally changed,
difference is that the upper class
purchases it for the purpose of
investment and for middle class it has
become the essential part like any
other household item. Selling and
buying art is becoming more and
more commercial because people
consider this as an investment that
can give you high returns. Indian art
industry is booming and it surely has
a lot to offer to art connoisseurs and
art industry enthusiasts all across the
globe. Indian art is not only selling
like hot cake, it is selling at pretty
high prices as well. Moreover, the
spending power and indulgence
amongst the masses of the country
has greatly increased due to which
people do not mind investing in art.
What sort of Indian art sells
more?
Modern contemporary art has a
huge market and online selling has
become very popular nowadays.
Do you think you have evolved
with the time?
I am improving myself everyday.
It is an endless journey. You keep on
learning if you have dedication and
eagerness to learn. I believe in God
and he thinks positively for me. In my
view right people get right
opportunities.
What is the best time to work
on canvas for you?
Early morning.
For an ordinary viewer your
paintings of Krishna are not easy
to recognise as a basic human
form. Do they understand? What
is the response you receive?
My paintings are not too abstract,
so it is not very difficult for viewers
to understand them or to grasp the
Bhav imbibed in them.
What is the USP of your work?
I use bold strokes and flat colours
and only after that give texture to
create a touch of uniqueness.
Do you like experimenting?
If an artist experiments it opens
varied horizons for him/her and thus
the best of the work comes out.
Presently I am thinking to depict
something on a different aspect of
Krishna- that is his sanyas aspect.
These days’ artists are opting
for abstract style. Are you also
planning to switch off to abstract
style?
There is no doubt that these days
abstract art is in demand, but I can’t
work on it unless I have a complete
knowledge of it.
Any suggestions for the artists
of your generation?
Artists should not yield to pressure
from galleries and keep pursuing
their work aggressively. If you
surrender to such pressure and sell
your work before it is done, then it
will thwart your creativity and
individuality. Take your own time and
space, and just paint.
What is the aim of your life?
To become a recognised artist
and spread happiness and
awareness through my paintings.
Tell us what role recognition
and awards have on your
career?
Recognition and awards are
surely one of the crucial moments
for any artist. Indeed that’s what I
work for, but I consider as it a great
prize even when the most humbles
person of the world praises my
artwork. We
4 Woman’s Era
July (First) 2010 4

ARTIST SHIKHA AGNIHOTRI

By Chandrshekhar Shrivastava



Young and charming artist Shikha Agnihotri hails from a cultured family of Kanpur. During her schooling, unlike other students, she never cherished a dream of becoming a doctor or an engineer. Instead, she always dreamt to be an artist. Thus, colours and canvases became her toys. And she feels greatly indebted to her mother and her father. Veerendra Agnihotri, a Government employee, understood her desire well and lent full support in realising her dreams.



She started her early training in art under the aegis of Kishan Chand Srivastava, a Kanpur-based senior artist. Later on, following her dreams, Shikha did her BA, MA and PhD in Drawing from Kanpur’s famous DAV College. After Shikha finished her academics, it was again her father, who inspired her to try her luck in Delhi. So, she came to Delhi about 2 years ago. Since then, she is living in Delhi and she is well on her way to becoming an established artist.



She feels lucky that, in a big city like Delhi, where common people like her have to struggle a lot, she things have quite easy for her. Senior artists and critics, as well as the viewers, readily took her and appreciated her artistic creations. Veteran artist Biplab Biswas is her mentor in Delhi and she regards a number of art luminaries as a source of inspiration for her.



Excerpts from an exclusive interview:





When did you realise that you should be an artist?



Well, the realisation came quite early in life, when I started going to school. I had little interest in textbooks. Instead, I would love to draw figures and colour them.





Did you get formal training in art?



Yes, looking at my interest in art, my father arranged for my formal training in the field. First, I started under the guidance of noted artist Kishan Chand Srivastava, at home. After passing out of school, I got admission in BA, Drawing (completed graduation in Drawing). Then I did my MA (post graduation) and even PhD, in the same stream.





Was there any mentor in your art journey?



As I told you, Kishan Chand Srivastava started training me in art. I regard him my first mentor. When I shifted to Delhi, I came in touch with veteran artist Biplab Biswas. He rendered great help and guidance at every step. Similarly, Umesh Verma provided me with great insight in art. There are a number of senior artists, who helped and guided me from time to time. I regard all of them as my mentors.





Have the artworks of great masters of yesteryear influenced your work? Can you name a few of them?



An artist is a viewer first. Unless and until he or she views and contemplates on the works of great masters, an artist is incomplete. I also feel greatly influenced by the artworks of Pablo Picasso. Among Indian great masters, I greatly appreciate the works of M.F. Hussein. I am also a great fan of Amrita Shergil. She created such bold art at a time when conservative forces were holding the sway here.





Have your developed your own unique style that may become signature?

I am yet An artist is in the learning phase of my over the life. As such, I cannot claim that I have developed my own style, which could become my identity. Over time, however, I may look forward myself in between to develope ing a new style.





Any preference in colours and mediums?



I prefer to use cool colours and try to balance them with red. In one of my paintings titled Dancing Lady, you will notice cool colours in total harmony. In another painting titled Worship, I have used contrasting colours to produce harmony. I work in both mediums, oil and acrylic, but prefer oil to acrylics.





Where do find yourself in the current art world?



Well, I feel quite secure in my career. Of course, the current art world is evolving fast and more and more artists are joining the fray. But this does not deter me. I am sure, with experience, my art will refine more and I shall face no hurdle in life.





Your opinion of the contemporary art scenario?



I think, art is moving towards more commercialisation. Art has become a commodity. As a result, the artists are now no longer forced to work elsewhere. This has great beneficiary effect.





Will you ever make art to fulfill the commercial demands?



Though I do not like to create art on commercial demands, if a buyer want me to incorporate some particular thing in my art, I won’t be rigid to the demand. In fact, an artist should have such flexibility in his or her attitude, so as to understand others’ point of view also.





Where do you see yourself in future, say 5 years from now?



Well, I see myself as an established artist, with my roots firmly embedded in the Indian culture and tradition!