‘In art, purity and involvement are important’

In recognition of artistic excellence, Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, Jalandhar, recently celebrated the exceptional contributions of its Head of the Fine Arts Department, Pawan Kumar. With a career spanning decades, Kumar’s artistic prowess has garnered numerous accolades, including five state awards and three national awards, underscoring his impact on the art world.

Holding degrees of BFA and MFA in Drawing and Painting, Kumar is at present pursuing a PhD in Visual Arts. His deep commitment to artistic exploration has fueled his participation in over 70 group shows and 10 national art camps. His creative journey has seen him participate in multiple art symposiums, continuously pushing the boundaries of contemporary art.

In a candid interview, he talks about how the school Principal has always been there to boost his morale and why he is pursuing a PhD.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the arts?

I come from Sonipat, a very typical village. In my village, ladies wear beautiful coloured ghagras. As a kid, this attracted me to the colours, and I used to do sketches on the walls of the village with charcoal. My art teacher back then told me that this is a God’s gift and to take it up professionalism. I have given entrance for BFA in two to three places. I was on the merit list at Jammu University.

How was your journey?

My journey started with a professional BFA, Bachelor of Fine Arts. I am a gold medallist at that university because I got the subject of my choice. I spent five years there. During that time, the former Chief Minister of J&K gave me a topic to create a series on the trauma of the people in the Valley. I titled it Saga of Trauma.

Challenges you faced.

I had a lot of struggles in life because my financial situation was not very strong. My father was in the Defence, and we belong to the JAT community. When I told my family that I wanted to choose Fine Arts, they were shocked! I went against them and chose Fine Arts. After that, I got a fellowship and scholarship and did my solo show with 56 paintings. The Vice-chancellor at that time inaugurated it.

You have judged many competitions. What do you see in the artists?

Firstly, I scrutinise the given topic to determine if it effectively conveys the message. I also assess originality, making sure the work is not copied from anywhere. Purity and involvement are important.

How do you give constructive feedback to students?

I teach class XI and XII students. Initially, there were only 60 students in the class. Now I have 160 students. Many students were confused about teaching techniques, compositions, and proportions. I told them to think about personal experiences and emotions. For instance, if they like blue, I ask them to use blue and build composition. I give them demonstrations on sketching, balance, oil pastels, and watercolour techniques as well. The fact that I get a lot of support from the school Principal only adds to my motivation.

Your work has been showcased in some international exhibitions. Can you tell us more?

I did my solo show in London. The audience there is different compared to India. They asked deep questions about my work. My entire show got sold out. Many were surprised by my texture technique and wanted to learn how I apply it. At the recently held Apeejay Stya Art Festival, titled Creative Cascades, at the iconic Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Nariman Point, two of my paintings were exhibited. I was the only schoolteacher whose work was in that exhibition.

How did your London exhibition happen?

In my show in Delhi, some curators associated with the British Art Council noticed my work. They emailed me and proposed organising a show for me. I worked in my studio, prepared the paintings, and participated in the show. It was again a solo show, and all my paintings were sold out.

What is your painting style?

My work is based on surrounding feelings. Whatever I see outside or feel, I transfer that into ideas on the canvas.

Why did you decide to pursue a PhD?

Some time back I met a PhD student who talked about the philosophy behind art, mentioning artists like Michelangelo, Picasso, and Leonardo da Vinci. I wanted to understand that so I could teach my students at a higher level.

How do you think a PhD will impact your students’ future in art?

When students sit in my class, I make them work practically and theoretically. Recently, a student asked about the value of art. I explained using the instance of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, saying that even with all our wealth, we couldn’t afford to rent it! I also mentioned Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, explaining how simple wax can be turned into life-size sculptures valued at crores due to artistic creativity. This helps students realise art’s worth.