Painting exhibition “Beyond Strokes” showing the artworks of Kiran Soni Gupta has been inaugurated on 24th July 2008 during the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Roerichs’ Central Asiatic Expedition and foundation of the Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute.

The paintings captivate the essence of life in India from the ordinary and mundane to the emerging new patterns of contemporary society.  

Kiran Soni Gupta is an artist, writer and an activist administrator. She is presently Divisional Commissioner, Jodhpur in Rajasthan. After joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1985 she has held various distinguished assignments in the Government of India, Kerala & Rajasthan. Kiran has studied public policy and development at the best schools, Maxwell Syracuse and the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University where she was a Mason Fellow in 2005-06. Her concerns about various contemporary issues have been expressed regularly in her writings in many national/ international newspapers/journals.

It is however through the brush and paint that Kiran’s creativity finds best illustration. Her works reflect not only her conviction on issues of women, children, poverty, development and environment, but also her sensitivity, keen observation, and also, an abounding faith in humanity.

From sketches, pen and ink works to mixed media, Kiran has given new dimensions to art forms, both traditional and modern. Creativity with colours and experimentation has given her work depth as well as impact. Diverse assignments have provided her opportunities to travel and also, to stay with amidst nature as different as the tropical forests and beaches of Kerala and the desert scrublands of Rajasthan. This exposure finds expression in her landscapes in oil, water colours and also mixed media. The iconic influence of the spirituality of her surroundings is seen in many of her paintings in the Tanjore style.

Kiran's association with well known artists & masters has led her to some of her best etchings, wood cuts, linocuts, lithography & calligraphies. Of late she has produced a series of more than three dozen works titled the 'Harmony' reflecting various forms of the relationships between man & his environment. She organized the “Kala Kumb" through community support in March 2003 that attracted a congregation of 150 artists from all over the country. Her works have been exhibited at different national/international events more recently at California, New York, Cambridge, Syracuse, Toronto, Chicago, London, Iran and Srilanka. Her paintings on the “Famine" depicting its impact on women and children in India, won her a National Award in 2003. Another painting the “Matters of Heart" was commended in the All India Fine Arts Exhibition. She was also a visiting artist at the East West Centre, Hawaii. Her recent artworks auctions in Cambridge for raising charity for children’s food and education have helped her in realizing her vision of art for social cause. She also won the Valparaiso Foundation Fellowship, Mojacar, Spain in 2007. She has been recently honored with the “Kala Shiromani Award”2008.

She believes that man’s soul is the architect of history and that art is the manifestation of man’s soul & reflection of human identity. Art is unbounded and recognizes no constraints. In modern times, art is playing a dominant role in bringing about social change transcending borders and minds. Art is the domain of the dialogue between civilizations and cultures; it can speak in a loud and penetrating voice. Art is most often seen as pleasing the eye - creating beauty. Yet the idea of beauty, like that of truth, is most challenging in the present day. If something moves you to an understanding, somehow unreachable for you, by the common paths of words and reason, it's Art for you. Art is not for the sake of anything…. each art work in its own right depicts the image of the soul of the artist and the society at large.

For her the truth rings in words of Paul Klee, “A single day is enough to make us a little larger or, another time, a little smaller’.

“Her work demonstrates both mastery in technique and sensitivity & empathy of social issues.  Has potential to promote art in big way.”

Jatin Das

“Her depiction & presentation of Rajasthan themes is enchantin.”

Manu Parekh

“It is a show in which the wide range of themes and styles portrays an active & searching mind with a meticulous concern for craft……. evidence of her organizational abilities as much as of her devotion to art.”

Prof. Ashley Halpe, Srilanka

“We were immediately struck by the artist’s freedom of expression as demonstrated by her many different styles and techniques.  The walls were virtually covered by a synthesis of traditional Indian art and the contemporary style of a truly accomplished portrait painter.  Interspersed between bright, colorful works in the Tanjore and other traditional Indian styles were many almost parched, desert scenes of Rajasthan and powerful portraits of its people.”

Daisy Campbell, Srilanka

"..........I was deeply touched with her works on the issues relating to women, poverty, environment and particularly her paintings like "Mother and Child", Hidden Me", "Secret Marriage", "Reflections", "Fire" etc.  Her Tanjore paintings seeped in spirituality and mythology also leave a deep impact on the human mind.  Her best etchings, woodcuts, linocuts, lithography and oils speak volumes on her artistic sense and abilities...." 

Ram V.Sutar,
Sculptor

"........She has beautifully portrayed her experiences in the field particularly women's issues.  The sensitivity and spontaneity is reflected in her ink drawings, etchings, linocuts and oil work.   Achieving perfection in every technique without any formal training is certainly a creditable achievement....."          

R.D.Pareek

"........She has been sincerely devoting herself creatively acquiring the technical skills of many traditional & modern art forms.  Her achievements as painter are amazing......

Chinmaya Mehta
Chairman, Rajathan Lalit Kala Academy

".......the grace of the artist is reflected in the traditional art which has roots in Indian culture.  It looks as if all styles of traditional art forms would be recreated in future.............It also reflects her enthusiasm to achieve definite heights in her life......"     

Shamendu Sonavane

"......Her paintings cover a wide range both in terms of themes & medium.  She does Paintings in Stained Glass, Tanjores, Oils, Graphics and Mixed Media.  She is quite competent in figurative, abstracts, landscapes but her fort is doing popular deities which create deep spiritual feelings in the minds of viewers. Her Art has roots in the Indian soil..."

S.S.Hitkari

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