'Spring Board’ literally does what a spring board does in a pool side. This is a platform for young artists to gather energy and momentum to take the real plunge. We do not control or judge these artists or their works presented here. It is an open field so that the curators, gallerists, critics, collectors and investors can make their own judgment.

Raj Mohanty

Raj Mohanty

Born in 1980, Jajpur, Orissa, Raj Mohanty did his BFA from Dhauli College of Art and Crafts, Bhubaneswar (2004) and MFA from College of Art, New Delhi (2006). He did his first graduation in Economics and turned to arts to pursue his real calling. He trained himself in graphics and traditional art initially and later in Delhi, Raj started pursuing painting seriously.

See Raj Mohanty’s works here »

Raj works with different materials. Paper is his chosen surface, though he likes to work on canvas. According to him, his aim through painting is to understand the structure of the visual language. He does not work with a particular subject matter. Instead, he uses both conventional and unconventional materials to structure an interesting visual language. “Materials lead me into the alleys of a visual linguistic structure,” says Raj.

When did Raj Mohanty start working seriously?

“Year 2000 onwards.”

Who inspired him as a student?

“Dhauli College of Art and Craft was a new establishment and I was one of the first batch students. Artist Prabir Dalai taught both art and art history. Dalai did not force the students work according to conventions. He gave them enough freedom to experiment and evolve.”

What were Raj’s early paintings like?

“They were monotonous abstractions. I was inspired by the Orissan temple architecture and I wanted to emulate the abstract feeling of those structures in my works.”

What did he do in Delhi?

“When I came to Delhi a few years back, I was inspired by the mediatic realism. I thought this language was the best way to express my feelings. I did a lot of works in this particular genre. Soon I realized that I could not go on like that. I did not enjoy painting in a photorealistic way.”

How did he evolve?

“After passing out from the Delhi College of Art, I did not work for almost four months. Slowly I got interested in structuring my visual language. I tried to understand each material that I used for making my works. This opened up a new world for me.”

Does he use any subject matter in his works?

“No, I am not interested in working on a particular subject. My works are more like conceptual build ups.”

Why does his works look like minimal expressions?

“I would call my works ‘minimal installations on paper.’”

How does he look at his transition from rural Orissa to urban Delhi?

“I like transitions. Urban spaces have a different dynamics. Rural spaces have an inner core that makes you to be more poetic. My works sometimes have this poetic quality in them, despite the industrial materials that I use to produce them.”

Does art change the world?

“No. For me art can change the artist. Once art is publicly displayed it has a different function, which is not determined by the artist. If I see a man hit by a car in the street, my first reaction would be to take him to the hospital. I will not go back to my studio and paint that incident. Artist is a normal human being who thinks differently.”

Where would we see Raj Mohanty after two years?

“You would see me making art. I am a perpetual learner. I would like to learn more. Apart from my studio practice, I would like to do some site specific works with my village folks.”

Does Raj believe in a personal style?

“Personal style is something historically identified in a work of art. Artist does his or her work. Style could limit an evolving artist. I do not want to be limited by anything.”