#InConversation with Chhering Negi

Chhering - Yes, it’s been something I've studied from the beginning and later it became my subject. My project revolves around the exploration of Woodcut, Lithography and Etching as a technique. My fascination for the medium coerces me to improve the working procedure. I am eager to explore the surface and new modes of transferring images. Their portraits reflect a certain dignity and a maturity that only comes with experience. Their zest of life is encapsulated with the elements surrounding their own portraits; hinting to nature's own definition.

Chhering - I wish to narrate these realities in my attempt to understand what shapes a human and follow their individual journeys with their unique stories. This ranges from the ordinary to the wild, from the mundane to the theatrics of existence. One could be a banker whilst the other a horticulturalist. One could be old, the other too young to speak. The fascination with the ordinary struggles, which lead to a strong and bold outlook to life is what these compositions portray.

Chhering - The relationship between these women is also similar to the relationship defined by the interactions between different beings. Humans often appear to be a reflection of their surrounding landscapes; and so they are depicted in their respective environs.This is perhaps a wake up call, to make aware and to rise to the occasion, lest it becomes irreversible.

Chhering - As someone coming from and growing up with Buddhist and Tibetan art and culture of the region, it doesn’t just influence me but also has given me a way of understanding art. I studied art in college as others do but while learning and exploring printmaking I never use these motifs and symbols. After completing my master's and when I started working in Delhi and got my first Lalit Kala Garhi fellowship, I tried these Tibetan art  symbols and motifs. The reading and understanding of the many mythologies belonging to the Buddhist tradition also helped find expression in the incorporation of cultural symbols in my works as there is a patterned depiction of motifs and symbols of the Thangka art.

Chhering - Cacti and flowers depict the duality and struggle in living, leading to an idea of balance. Each human being has his/her own circumstances and their own struggles, but whilst combating all issues, they arrive at their own solution and make their own eco-system.

Chhering - Each composition captures the essence of the being represented. It becomes a template of storytelling. A reminder that in the ordinary there are nuances of the extraordinary efforts made to sustain in this big wide world. The constant desire to attain balance and the uniqueness of each struggle of each individual, no matter where she/he is placed, are the governing theme to this work.

Chhering - In my woodcuts, I deliberately stick to black and white, so as to appear as unfolding of pages of a collective book. The size of the page and its format is uniformed. It could also be seen as peeking into the windows of so many people who could be living in the same building, the same city and yet, appreciative of their different struggles and obstacles.

Chhering - About the process and methods of woodcut, lithographs and etching it always requires a proper studio space and equipment. Woodcut can be done relatively easily but for lithograph and etching it’s always difficult to do. As I am working in Lalit Kala artist's studio in Delhi, it helps me to continue my journey in printmaking. Nowadays printmaking materials are very rare to find, we have to use alternative materials mostly.

Chhering - In terms of my practice, I'm still learning and finding my way in this art world. I am inspired by the works of Frida Kahlo and Anupam Sud.