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Ruchin Soni

Hailing from the family of traditional painters in Gujarat, Ruchin Soni got initiated into the world of art during the childhood itself. He learned traditional painting techniques from his parents and when he was barely ten, he used to do the portraits of people around him. He had his formal education in painting from the MS University, Baroda; took his BFA in Painting and MFA in Murals. His paints human beings, seen engaged in various activities, without giving any gender specifications. For him this is a way to express his simple feelings about life and art. Having strived for reaching a language of his own, now Ruchin stands in front of his canvases with a good amount of confidence. He has participated in a few group shows and has done on solo show in Baroda and Delhi. Currently he stays and works in Delhi.

When did Ruchin Soni realize that he had an artistic bend?

My parents make traditional paintings majorly for the Swaminarayan Sect (Gujarat) with a lot of ornamentational use of real gold and precious and semi precious stones in it. Since my childhood I have seen paintings all around me and I have always wanted to be an artist.

Who initiated him into serious art?   

The environment at home (my parents) and then joining the Faculty of Fine Arts, M. S. University, in Baroda was where the real initiation began.

Where did he study art and how was training like?

Initially I studied art with my father who is a very skilled painter himself. I learned all the naturalistic detailing of human figures from him. He also taught me how to use Gold and Silver foil on a canvas. I use to make live portraits when I was in class five. And by the time I finished my schooling I was helping him with his professional works. After that I went to study art at the faculty of fine arts M.S.University Baroda. Where I learnt different techniques and mediums to paint which was very interesting. The lectures opened up my eyes to the professional world of an artist.

How does he explain his works done during the BFA?

I learnt about contemporary Indian art and artists, their styles and various movements.  This gave a new perspective to my vision in art. In the initial years of college life I struggled a lot to derive a particular language as there was a conflict between my skills of a traditional artist and the new academic exposure. This led to a long experimental phase of trial and error, until I gradually settled into a particular language. I finished my B.F.A in 2003.

What did he do during his post graduate days?

I did my M.F.A in Murals in 2005 from the same college. I was always interested in learning more techniques. I also learned stained glass (lead and copper), etching and slumping (kiln techniques). I did lots of other things apart from the studies. Worked at Pizza Hut on the make table as a part timer. Did few commissioned works, also did my first solo show in Baroda and then in Delhi.

How did art history influence him?

Art history was really interesting because it opened my eyes to lot of art forms, from miniature art in India to European art and all the isms and to Chinese and Japanese art. And how different techniques are invented which gave me courage to do more experiments with my work. An understanding of the past is always helpful in the understanding of the present. Visiting museums and traveling to other parts of the country to see the sculptures and paintings also helped.

How does he explain his current practice?

I have been using oil and acrylic on canvas, along with gold and silver foil as media to transfer my thoughts into visual language. I use gold and silver foil not always with an ornamental purpose but at times to define particular feelings, I use it in a more abstract and subjective way. My work moves with an autobiographical language, where feelings and expressions are the most important factors. I use human figures which are genderless because I feel that such details as gender and gaze distract the viewer and cause them to deviate from the simple feelings that I am trying to express. On the contrary I use some objects or forms to strengthen the connection. My themes are related to everyday experiences. From watching Television, to riding a bike or in moments of idleness… my work says it all. The figures are caught up in a time frame doing something; all of us would have done at some point too. Therefore the viewer can identify with my work.

What does he think about art market?

People today are aware of art and the practices related to art. More people are buying work today (at least in the past 5 years). Probably the market for Indian art is at its best, but it will never be the same for all. It is an artist’s individual effort in his work that will determine the market for him/her.

Where do we see Ruchin Soni in the coming years?

I will paint for the rest of my life. So probably you will see my paintings in a lot of exhibitions. And I would put all my efforts to do better work so that I may establish myself as one of India’s upcoming contemporary artist.