Born in 1970, Alok completed his M.A. in Drawing & Painting from the Meerut University in 1993. He’s participated in several group shows since & has won several awards & is settled in Delhi now.
1. First and the foremost thing, how did you start painting?
I started as a freelance artist. I have worked in many newspapers and magazines as a designer, during my college days.
2. When did people realize that there is a serious painter inside you?
Sincerity and seriousness is very important if you want to be a professional in your work. Realization comes at the later stage. I put in enormous effort in each of my artwork and wherever true effort is there recognition comes in automatically. So, with every artwork, I got more and more recognition from people and that’s how I groomed myself.
3. Everybody has an inspiration, what inspired you to paint?
I was good in painting from my childhood days itself. Motivation from my seniors evoked me to do a better work in my field.
4. You seemed to portray figures and gestures a lot, Could you tell me more about your art?
I love to work on feelings. Every individual has different feelings for various aspects of life. Analysis is very essential if one wants to portray an exact emotion. So, first I personally study the aspects on which I am working and then try to portray it on canvas.
5. Name the artists who have influenced you and why?
I innovate my own work but I am very much inspired by the artworks of Tayeb Mehta, Ram Chandra and M.F.Hussain.
6. How do you handle the business side of being an artist?
I do solo exhibitions, I am associated with many art galleries such as Ganesha Gallery and lots more.
7. Tell me more about your latest series of paintings and where you are going with them?
Every year I work on different states in India. In 2007 my artworks depicted the living style of Kolkata, in 2008 chose Goa as my theme of work. As I said earlier I love to work on feelings so, with my every artwork I try to bring out the emotions of the people living in that particular state.
8. What do you want to communicate through your paintings?
I want to showcase the old heritage of our country and the diversity in the culture of different states in our country. India is a unique example of, “Unity in Diversity”, I want to portray this unique feature of India in my paintings.
9.Which is the most prestigious award of your life?
I think I got my first most important appreciation in 2001 when I got an award in the ninth “All India Art Exhibition” from Lalit Kala Academy. Another huge credit for me was when my painting was first collected by Birla Academy of Art and Culture.
10. Apart from painting, what do you do in your spare time?
Music interests me the most, I get a very less time to spare but whenever I get some I listen to music, ghazals, etc.
11. What advice would you like to give to an artist, just starting off?
Everybody is capable and talented. What matters is, how do you implement that talent. So, don’t loose hope, if you are capable success will come to you sooner or later.
