‘Emotion is what makes art truly human’

An accomplished artist with a strong presence in the regional and national art space, Mr Pawan Kumar, HoD, Fine Arts at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, has received several notable honours for his creative work. Adding to his distinguished journey, he recently clinched the prestigious Gold Award at the 53rd International Online Art Exhibition and Competition 2026, organised by the renowned Manikarnika Art Gallery.

The global event drew nearly 5,000 entries from talented artists across the world. His exceptional artwork earned him the top honour, making him one of the select few global recipients of the Gold Award. The award certificate was officially conferred by Kamini Baghel, President and Director of Manikarnika Art Gallery.

In a candid interview, he discusses his painting and what it means to him.

What drew you personally to this artwork?

I was personally drawn to this artwork because it seems to express deep emotions and memories in a very thoughtful way. The use of expressions and colours makes it feel meaningful and relatable. The first emotion I felt while viewing it was curiosity mixed with calmness. It made me pause and think about the story behind the painting.

Does this painting remind you of any memory?

The painting reminds me of moments when memories suddenly come back and make me reflect on my past experiences and emotions. The detail that stayed with me the longest was the expression of the central figure, because it seemed to carry both strength and hidden emotions.

How do you connect with the idea of memory here?

I connect with the idea of memory here because memories often shape my identity, emotions, and the way I understand myself and others. I see the central figure as both calm and burdened. Outwardly, the figure appears peaceful, but there also seems to be emotional weight hidden inside.

What part of the painting feels most human to you?

The most human part of the painting, for me, is the emotional expression, because it reflects feelings that everyone experiences at some point in life.

What would you want students to notice first?

I would want students to notice the emotions and symbolism first, as they help us understand the deeper message of the artwork.

Will AI replace human creativity?

I do not think AI will replace human creativity, but I do believe it is changing the way creativity is executed. AI is an incredibly powerful tool for automation, pattern recognition, and rapid iteration, but it lacks the core ingredients of genuine human creativity. The biggest difference lies in the reason behind the art. AI does not have lived experiences, trauma, joy, heartbreak, or cultural context. It can mimic emotional expression by learning from existing data, but it cannot truly experience those emotions.

Human creativity also comes from intention. AI generates outputs based on patterns and probability, while human creativity often grows from breaking rules, taking risks, making mistakes, and finding meaning in unexpected places.