Autobiography

Autobiography is from Kalam Patua’s (India b.1962) ‘Autobiography’ series, the artist is depicted as a young boy pointing to an aeroplane in the sky. He tells his parents he will fly in it one day, and they smile at his ignorance. Patua did later take several plane journeys but not until after the death of his parents.

Born into the Patua community of scroll painters and storytellers, Kalam Patua is a self-taught contemporary exponent of Kalighat painting, which draws on conventions from West Bengal scrolls and Indian miniature painting. A postmaster in a rural post office in West Bengal, he is one of the few artists painting in this style today.

Patua’s unique watercolours contain elements of autobiography and myth, and reflect on social issues and current news events. Topics include the changing nature of Indian society; dowry deaths and violence against women. He also paints light, humorous works, including a series about working in the postal system.

Exhibited in 'The 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' (APT8) | 21 Nov 2015 – 10 Apr 2016