Sculptor, feminist, champion of community art — the many facets of artist Meera Mukherjee’s work and life have been brought forth in an exhibition of photographs by Arun Ganguly that marks her centenary year.
The exhibition at Galerie 88 titled ‘Meera Mukherjee: Photographs by Arun Ganguly’ documents the last two decades of Mukherjee’s life (1978-98) captured through the lens of photographer and friend Arun Ganguly is on display. The exhibition has been curated by art historian Tapati Guha-Thakurta and artist Adip Dutta.
“The main focus [of the exhibition while curating] was the life of Meera Mukherjee with a special projection of her work process, especially her participation in metal casting. Her artistic language was based on an understanding of cultural anthropology. She started by exploring indigenous forms and techniques of metal casting in looking for the archaic format, but finally embarked upon a search for the artisan. 'In Search of Viswakarma' was the spirit of her work, both physically and conceptually,” Dutta said.
The 'Minibus' sculpture of Meera Mukherjee. Arijit Sen/ My Kolkata
Born in 1923, Mukherjee was a feminist champion in several ways. Deciding to pursue art and becoming a sculptor at a time when it was considered a ‘male- dominated’ field, she was one of the finest in the domain and tough competition for her contemporaries. She also founded the concept of community art where she invited and trained local residents from around her workshop at Elachi, in the suburbs of Kolkata, to join in the process of sculpting. These helping hands became her friends and family for life.
Ganguly met Mukherjee around 1978 and started documenting her life through photographs. “Meera di lived very near my home but we did not know each other. We were introduced to each other by a mutual friend. I was asked to take some colour transparency photographs of her for her professional use. However, I realised that colour transparency in those days did not stay for long and her work definitely deserved to be documented. That is why I used a parallel camera and clicked black-and-white photographs, too. These photographs remained with me. After this, my relationship with her turned into that of an elder sister and brother,” said Ganguly, who is 83.
Ganguly was contacted by Supriya Banerjee, owner of Galerie 88, around 2014 for a book on Mukherjee. Though the book did not materialise, the exhibition did.
The 14-ft Buddha sculpture is now at Badamtam Estate. Arijit Sen/ My Kolkata
“Around 2014, Supriya Banerjee got in touch with me, proposing a book on Meera Mukherjee and asking if I could help her with some photographs. I handed over these materials to her. But unfortunately, the book did not materialise. A few days ago, Banerjee got in touch again and said they were doing an exhibition with those photographs. I have only documented the event. But what I could figure out was that the work is very difficult and requires a lot of strength. It was admirable to see her work in heat and with molten metal,” Ganguly said.
The exhibition has been distinctly divided into a few phases. From introducing the artist and her style of work to some of her famous sculptures, from the detailed visual representation of the process of metal casting to the story of how she practised community art, from her personal life and relationships to her last work of art — everything finds place in extensive detail. The curation provides a space for the new generation to go through and admire the work of this woman sculptor who broke all social norms and established herself through her work.
Visitors at the exhibition in Galerie 88. Arijit Sen/ My Kolkata
“I was fortunate to interact with Arun Ganguly, who was the only photographer who was allowed to take photographs of Meera Mukherjee at work. This is my tribute to a great artist whom I knew very closely for the last seven years of her life. I admired how she made her own team and created those beautiful works… the last being the 14ft Buddha now in Badamtam Tea Estate,” said Banerjee of Galerie 88.
The exhibition is on till July 30.