Arpita Kar is a contemporary artist whose work explores the intricate relationship between humans and nature. Since 2009, she has been a full-time practising artist, working from her studio ‘Masterpiece’ in Agartala, Tripura. Her art depicts nature’s outward appearance and how people connect with it emotionally and spiritually.
Rooted in Indian mythological narratives, Arpita’s paintings reflect nature’s immense power and its complex, often fragile, relationship with human life. Her compositions frequently incorporate tactile elements, scraped or folded surfaces, layered canvases or paper to echo the themes of destruction and regeneration in the natural world. In some works, she merges multiple pieces to form a single image, symbolising her longing for unity with the environment.
Arpita uses bold colours, intricate patterns, and a wide range of media. Influenced by artists like Paul Gauguin and Henri Rousseau, she brings a dreamlike, jungle-inspired fantasy into her paintings. Her admiration for René Magritte is evident in her conceptual approach, especially in works like Personal Values, which resonates deeply with her. She often blends realistic forms with decorative motifs, creating a tension between the real and the imagined, an artistic conflict that mirrors the contradictions of modern life.
Her love for nature documentaries and wildlife programming, particularly on Animal Planet and National Geographic, continuously fuels her imagination. Whether observing flora on her travels or recalling scenes from the screen, Arpita transforms these experiences into layered visual stories on canvas.
Philosophically, Arpita is deeply influenced by Taoism, believing that every being is like a single brushstroke in the vast canvas of nature. Despite humanity's technological advancements, she feels we remain powerless before nature’s force. Her art stands as a reminder to respect and preserve the planet’s delicate balance, a tribute to the forests that are vanishing and the species disappearing with them.
