Artist : Various
Title : Wooden spoons - painted (set of 2) Medium : Paint on wood
Size : 15" x 2.75"
Year : 2021
About a decade ago, ‘potua’ art was written off as a dying folk art form, as “chitrakars” began drifting away from their traditional occupation in search of a livelihood. Thanks to the timely intervention of various agencies, it has undergone a revival and today the ‘patachitra’ has reached national and international forums.
“Patta” literally means “cloth” and “chitra” means “picture” in Sanskrit. The materials used are all indigenous and inexpensive, coming from vegetable, earth, and mineral sources. The Midnapore ”potuas” usually draw and paint their stories on a long piece of jute or handmade paper, which they unfurl for potential buyers, singing the story. The themes are usually popular Hindu deities and saints, folktales and myths, incidents of daily life, animals and birds.
The same artists have begun painting on household objects, using acrylic and enamel paints, but adhering to their themes and style of old. Tejas gallery is partner to this initiative and is helping the artists to re-conceptualise and re-invent their artwork and medium.