Kanchana Gupta’s (b. 1974, India) ongoing fascination with the materiality of paint has seen her investigate the physicality of the medium in two-dimensional mixed media works , and more recently sculptural installations. The Edges and Residues series contemplates the reciprocal relationship between the surface and layers of paint, as well as the social significance of the materials.
Kanchana focuses on acts of tearing and peeling tarpaulin and jute sheets, materials used extensively at construction sites in India and by migrant communities to build temporary homes. In doing so, she engages the space between the support surface and layers of paint. Each surface not only leaves its unique imprint on the layers of paint but also creates ragged edges, traces left behind by force. These works conceal and reveal the patterns of jute weaving on each unique surface. The materiality of jute offers a strong resistance to forces of gravity and tearing, creating unpredictable cracks, rips and edges in the paint, which are then assembled to create object-like or sculptural works.
Kanchana’s practice has been described as a process-driven exploration of and response to urban environments. The pressures of unprecedented migrations, rapid urbanisation and overwhelming globalisation are expressed through the extreme manual and industrial duress that she subjects her medium to.
Kanchana completed an MA in Fine Arts from LASALLE College of Arts, Singapore where she received the Dr. Winston Oh Travel Research Award. Since then, she has had three solo shows in Singapore, including 458.32 Square Metres at Sullivan+Strumpf Singapore (2019). She has also participated in numerous group shows in Singapore and internationally, including The Sceneries and Portraits of the Eras—Featuring the Asia Collection of Benesse Art Site Naoshima at the Fukutake House Asian Gallery, Shodoshima, Japan (2020).