Avinash Karn: The Emerging Force Behind Contemporary Mithila Art

Avinash Karn, a Contemporary Indian Artist, in conversation with Aradhana Thakur, an Independent Researcher and Writer.

Born in 1990, Avinash Karn hails from Ranti village in the Madhubani district of Bihar. Karn was born into a traditional Mithila painter’s family. Karn completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Banaras Hindu University in 2014 to understand art and the art world. Karn was awarded a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, New Delhi in (2014-16). In 2019 he was invited to Switzerland to represent India at the Fumetto Comic Festival. Karn has exhibited in several group shows worldwide, including India, the USA and Switzerland. His works have found a home in public and private collections. Having lived in Varanasi for almost ten years, Karn is now back to living in Ranti and working on his dream project, ‘Trailokyam’.

1.    Can you tell us about the moment you decided to pursue a career as an artist?

Back in 2008, I was shocked to see artists selling their paintings at low prices in Dilli Haat, New Delhi. Even more shocking was that while local artists like us struggled to earn a decent income from our passion-turned-profession, artists like M.F. Hussain were selling for millions in art auctions. That price disparity made me want to do something for artists like me so that we could command better prices for our artworks in the market and get recognition on an international platform. This thought led to my undergraduate degree in Bachelor in Fine Arts from the Banaras Hindu University in 2010. This course helped me understand the art scene in India and abroad.

2. What motivates you to create?

My surroundings. After having experienced both rural and city life, I am keen to depict an amalgamation of the two in my artworks. I want to show rural people in an urban metropolitan set-up and vice versa.

3. You define painting style as contemporary and not traditional Mithila art. Do you experiment with mediums and surfaces or just themes?

I have spent the past couple of years studying and experimenting with themes, mediums and surfaces. It has been challenging for me to carve out a niche style of my own. My experimentation also led to a change in my perception of Mithila art.

4. How has your style changed over time?

As life takes its course, our thought processes and outlook constantly evolve. My work can broadly be divided into three phases. The first phase between 2012-2014 consisted of my initial works centering around the famous epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. In 2014, my style reflected the characteristic style of renowned artists like Ganga Devi and Santosh Kr.Das. Post 2017, my style finally came into its own, and the subject of my artworks now focused on an array of themes like the ordinary person’s life, socio-political issues and women’s empowerment. Recently I have also started incorporating elements of spirituality in my works.

5.    Who are your biggest artistic influences?

Works of Ganga Devi, my childhood experiences, the life of an ordinary person and spirituality are the most significant influences seen in my works.

6.    How do you define success as an artist?

I would like to see more international art auction houses featuring Mithila modern Indian auctions. I will be successful when I see Mithila art featured on the same platform as Modern and Contemporary Indian art. Lastly, I would like people to change their perception of Mithila art as being ‘folk’, ‘tribal’, ‘traditional’, vernacular, and ‘outsider’ and instead refer to our art as Indian art. 

7.    Does art help you in other areas of your life and vice versa?

Art is the medium of fulfilling my life’s purpose of working towards a better world. I want to share the wisdom of my ancestors with future generations so that our traditions aren’t lost. Art also teaches one patience and is a meditative process.
I love to write when I am not creating art. It helps me paint better and is another way to express my feelings.

8.    How do you decide which galleries or curators to work with?

I like to work with galleries that can understand my art and appreciate me for who I am. I need to connect with the people I work with as such relationships tend to last longer. 

9.    Do you have an existing customer base?

Yes, I do, but it wasn’t an easy journey, and I guess it never really is for someone who does not come with any contacts in the industry. Having no connections, I have reached a stage where young and seasoned collectors are taking a keen interest in my works. 

10.    What factors influence the price of your work?

The challenges involved in the execution of an artwork, the time to complete it, and the size, materials and surfaces used are some of the critical factors I take into account while pricing my artworks.

11.    Do you have a dream project? 

My current project, ‘Trailokyam,’ is something I dreamt of years ago. I have been fortunate to receive the support of my village and several people across the country. I intend ‘Trailokyam’ to be a spabe ceone-stop preservation of Mithila’s cultural heritage. From village life to local food, art and culture, this space will be a one-stop visit for everyone wanting to experience Mithila and its glory. The building will consist of mud houses, an exhibition area, an event platform, and a kitchen. ‘Trailokyam’ will solely be dedicated towards the revival and upliftment of Mithila. 

12.    Have you ever collaborated with different artists, or would you like to do that in the future?

I have a fascinating upcoming project at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru. This project will involve working with several Indian artists of diverse art forms –Gond, Warli, Cheriyal and contemporary artists to execute a large format mural. I have previously worked with a couple of contemporary artists in Switzerland. 

13.    How do you navigate the professional art industry?

I remember reaching out to curators and writers through emails and social media. Fortunately, I got to be a part of exhibitions curated by Lina Vincent, Johny ML and Sushma Sabnis. I have also been very fortunate to have a great support system that has helped me to navigate the art world. I will always be indebted to Late Pradeep Sachdeva, Charlotte Leech from Loka Foundation and Deeksha Nath and Charty Dugdale from Artreach India for their unconditional support, encouragement and guidance.

14.    What have critics and collectors said about your work?

Johny ML, curator and writer, said he could see me become a great artist. His words were a great source of encouragement, especially since I started my journey as a professional artist. Johny ML also wrote an article, ‘The Importance of Being Avinash Karn, the Contemporary Madhubani Artist,’ that motivates me whenever I feel low or distracted. 
Late Pradeep Sachdeva, an eminent architect, supported me like a son and always told me how he saw his younger self in me.

15.    What are your favourite artworks-2 of your own and 2 of another artists?

My series ‘Cityscapes’ featuring Kolkata and ‘Nataraj’ are two works I have loved creating. As for other artists, I love ‘Three women’ by Jamini Roy and ‘The Kohbar (Contemporary)’ by Shalini Karn.

16.    Does making your artworks involve a research process-what is that like?

All my works go through a detailed research process about the subject, medium and surface. For example, if I am painting a pregnant woman, it includes researching pregnancy, postpartum, and biological and psychological changes experienced by a woman. In my painting, the ‘Last supper’, I studied not only the apostles but also the weather of Jerusalem at the time so that I could decide the dress of the apostles.

17.    What is your process for creating a new piece of art?

The process starts with zeroing in on an idea that fascinates me the most. The next step is to make a drawing based on my research. Once the draft is finalised, the final detailing of the artwork begins, which involves filling lines, designs and colours.

18.    How would you respond if a client wanted an artwork outside of your comfort zone?

I always welcome challenging work. But I try to work in a way that doesn’t compromise my ethos and characteristic style and stays authentic to what has been asked of me.

19.    In what ways have you challenged yourself as an artist?

I challenged myself to change the surface of my artwork from paper and canvas to jute and clay. It was an exciting and taxing process, and after an extended period, I finally succeeded when I executed the works without any cracks.
Another exciting project was painting the plot of a movie on an artwork in a narrative style. 

20.    Describe the most challenging work you have worked on?

My most challenging project to date has been for a hotel called Bloom boutique in Gurugram, Haryana. My team and I completed the detailed composition in just 25 days ! The mural was 40 feet high and 12 feet wide.

21.    What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?

I endeavour to keep evolving the themes and style of my artworks so that there is no repetition, and that people are always looking forward to viewing my paintings.

22.    How often do you show your work in exhibitions and gallery shows? Do you have any upcoming exhibitions/shows/collaborations?

I am grateful to receive proposals from several galleries, but it is difficult for me to be a part of every project. I try to avoid jumping into a rat race of exhibitions or constantly being visible everywhere. Two or three shows are more than enough for me in a year, as I also must dedicate time to making my art. I hope to have a solo show soon, in the next edition of the Kochi Biennale.