“I dream of being with Frida as if drinking from the cup of life in her vein.”
Born in 1957 in New Delhi, India, Kanchan Chander studied in India, Germany, Chile, and France. Her interdisciplinary talents lay not only in painting but also in printmaking, sculpting, and academia.
She introduces textiles and tapestry patterns to celebrate the notion of singularity and uniqueness brought in with dressing and accessorizing.
What she creates investigates the multilayered facets of herself and society; in constant search for answers as well as confident remarks of the power of the female.
Biography
-“I dream of being with Frida as if drinking from the cup of life in her vein.”
Born in 1957 in New Delhi, India, Kanchan Chander studied in India, Germany, Chile, and France. Her interdisciplinary talents lay not only in painting but also in printmaking, sculpting, and academia. However, her artistic practice remains intertwined with the representation of torsos, especially females.
This leitmotif is often presented without identifying elements of hands, feet, or a face - making her work a global representation of, and an ode to, females. Her inspirations for these works are as varied as her education: the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Indian deities-classical Indian temple sculptures, and even Bollywood films. But most importantly, the driving forces in her work are derived from Amrita Sher Gil and Frida Kahlo. She admires their self-determination and strength to persevere and succeed in a male-dominated society. Chander’s works are autobiographical and art creation for her is a cathartic process.
She introduces textiles and tapestry patterns to celebrate the notion of singularity and uniqueness brought in with dressing and accessorizing. Her oeuvres do not shy away from bold colors like red and blue-“One for rage, the other for peace,” as she says. What she creates investigates the multilayered facets of herself and society; in constant search for answers as well as confident remarks of the power of the female.
Her works are present in renowned collections all around the world such as the National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi; Victoria and Albert Museum; London, Ecole Des Beaux Arts, Paris, France; Fukuoka Art Museum, Japan.