She Leaves An (Im)Print!

The Sip of Life this week profiles an interesting personality. It is Soghra Khurasan from Gujarat who is a known name in printmaking. This young achiever who makes it to the Newsmaker of the Week, is a recipient of several awards and has participated in several exhibitions across the country. Soghra’s works have also been selected for the group show at the 22nd All India Art Contest at Nagpur held in the year 2008. She talks to us on what makes her works so popular.

SOL: Please tell us a little about your background. How did you think of having a Masters Degree (MVA) in printmaking?

SOGHRA: I come from Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, I did my Bachelor (BFA) in Painting in 2008 from Andhra University, and I completed my Master’s Degree (MVA) in Printmaking 2010, from M.S. University of Baroda. At present I am freelancing in Baroda, Gujarat.

SOL: What kind of works are you into and when did you start it?

SOGHRA: I mostly work in printmaking, coming from a background of painting in bachelors, I did masters in printmaking. I express my work through the medium of woodcut prints, which I have continued since my bachelors as it suited my temperament. From the time I entered masters the size format of my work has constantly increased. To further explore in this field I switched over to digital prints as is the demand of my present concept where I am experimenting on them through various manual methods of print making such as serigraphy and etchings. Perceptions, views, thoughts and ideas are very important motivations behind my work and skills, techniques, mediums and forms etc become a means to put into view my conception. This idea arrives from the repression and various containments and coercion, subjugation which all of us stumbles upon and encounter in on a daily basis because of establishment, authorities and institutions which claim to own us.

SOL: How have your works been taken by the people? What’s the response of your family?

SOGHRA: As my work deals with public, society and religion, people were always supportive in expanding ideas, as I collaborate them in my work through talking with them. I do not confer upon my viewer any kind of elucidation or even any clarification through my work. I either intensify or abridge the issues and try to prompt the viewer for his or her personal response. Family was also supportive; they gave me freedom in my studies. Now I stay far in Baroda but still they are supporting me, they want me to get settled soon.

SOL: Where all do your works sell? Any famous buyers?

SOGHRA: My works are in collection of Waswo x Waswo, ABS gallery, Uttarayan collection, and some private buyers in India. Till date I did 15 group shows in India.

SOL: Have you been ever recognized/awarded for your work? What plans do you have for future?

SOGHRA: I was awarded, Kala Sakshi Memorial Trust Award, New Delhi in 2009 Scholarship from Krishnakriti Foundation, Hyderabad in 2009, ”The WhyNot Place”, Religare Residency, New Delhi, in 2011. Started working in some new ideas in “new media”, roaming around cities Interacting with Public and gathering information’s.  I have some group shows in Delhi this year working hard on them.