Sangeeta Dasgupta

Where do you live: Daejeon, South Korea
Your education: PhD in Economics from North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India
Describe your art in three words: Vibrant. Pleasant. Thoughtful.
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Can you tell us about your journey from being an economist to becoming a full-time artist? What inspired this transition?

Art was always a part of my life. As a child, I was fascinated by colors, and creating something new excited me. It was a joyous experience to present handmade greeting cards, posters, and gifts for family and friends.

All the while, art was just a hobby. Most of my time was dedicated to academics, research, and eventually my job as an Assistant Professor in Economics. The big change came when my sister and I decided to start an art academy. Since then, I began thinking and working like a professional. This allowed me to continue balancing my profession with my passion for art. However, passion often had to take a back seat to profession. During those years, I felt the urge to work full-time as an artist and create artworks that could live forever.

Looking back, I feel that the major shift in my life was part of a bigger plan. I got married and started a new phase by relocating to South Korea in 2021. As I prepared to make a fresh start, I faced a crucial question: should I continue my career as an educator or pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a full-time artist? I’m glad I followed my heart and chose to dedicate myself entirely to art. The belief that art is the medium through which I can become the best version of myself inspired this transition. My artworks have given me a sense of identity in a foreign land.

How does your background in economics influence your artistic process or themes?

Economics and art are diverse disciplines, but if we look closely, we can find some interrelation. First, every piece of art has an economic value.

The study of economics trained my mind to think about the optimal use of limited resources. This has helped me to always consider ways to optimize the use of art materials. Economic decisions involve trade-offs—a situation where one thing must be given up to gain something else. The selection of theme, medium, and tools to create a particular piece involves such trade-offs. Understanding the trade-offs in my decisions helps me ensure that I’m using my resources wisely to achieve the desired result.

My experience as a researcher was a real test of patience and perseverance. I feel these are essential qualities required to create a beautiful piece of art. Every piece I create is an outcome of hours of dedicated work.

Sangeeta Dasgupta, Mary Gold, 2023

You mention that nature is your biggest inspiration. What specific aspects of nature captivate you the most and why?

We are an integral part of nature. But each of us experiences nature differently. For me, the natural world is full of inspiration, wonder, vibrancy, tranquility, and harmony. Nature is complex, intricate, and diverse, yet simple. I can instantly connect with nature, and it has a profound influence on the artist in me. Thus, my nature-inspired paintings are reflections of these unique experiences. I try to create artworks that can connect with the viewer instantly and evoke a sense of wonder and tranquility.

Your works reflect a deep connection with the subject. Could you describe how you immerse yourself in your subjects while painting?

Yes, I do feel a deep connection with the subject while painting. It is not easy to express it in words, but I will give it a try.

I often use reference images, which help me connect and delve deeper into the layers of a particular scene or object. The brushstrokes, the detailing, and the color scheme in my paintings serve as a reflection of this connection with the subject matter. I mostly work on one project at a time, so each piece I create receives my total attention.

Sangeeta Dasgupta, A piece of autumn, 2024

You’ve participated in various exhibitions worldwide. Which exhibition experience has been the most memorable for you, and why?

The ‘Borderless’ exhibition, September 2023 edition, was one of the most memorable experiences, where my watercolor painting ‘Mary Gold’ was on display. The exhibition merged the tangible with the digital, with artworks exhibited simultaneously in premier 3D galleries in Seoul, South Korea, and Oslo, Norway. It was a wonderful experience to be part of such a hybrid exhibition.

The theme of the exhibition was ‘Momentum: The Art of Manifestation’. It focused on artworks that questioned societal norms and self-imposed limitations, emphasizing the power of belief, self-confidence, and determination. My painting ‘Mary Gold’ portrayed the celebrated Indian boxer Mary Kom, who fearlessly pursued her dreams, broke stereotypes, and became a crusader for women’s empowerment.

Your work highlights the importance of conservation and preservation. How do you hope your art impacts viewers in terms of environmental awareness?

Nature is all around us, and we are intensely connected to it whether we realize that or not. Our modern-day lifestyle is highly influenced by technology. We spend more time indoors, glued to the screens. This can make us feel disconnected and separate from nature.

Creating connections with nature through art is a pleasing experience for me. My nature-inspired paintings are a ‘piece of nature’ for the collectors. They are not only works of art but also visual tools to bring the viewer’s attention back to the natural world. Once we revive our bond with nature, the realization of the importance of its conservation and preservation follows intuitively.

I would like to create artworks that encourage viewers to take a step for themselves as well as the environment. It could be a small step like taking a walk outside, planting a tree, or starting a balcony garden.

You’ve experimented with various materials and techniques. Can you share one technique or material that was particularly challenging yet rewarding to work with?

The golden rule of watercolor is “Work from light to dark.” While working on my painting Solitude, I managed to bend this traditional approach to building up a subject in watercolors. To create the misty scene, I had to use lighter shades, especially white, on top of darker ones. The work was challenging, but I successfully achieved the desired effect while maintaining the required shades in the background.

Solitude was featured in many online and offline exhibitions, including the 13th All Women Art Exhibition in January 2024, organized by Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery.

Sangeeta Dasgupta, Solitude, 2020