Papier collé, the technique of using paper for collage, is a distinctive form of art. The cubist painter Georges Braque first used it when he drew on imitation wood-grain paper that had been pasted onto white paper. And in about 1912–13, artistic giant Pablo Picasso along with Georges Braque extended this unique technique, combining fragments of paper, wood, linoleum, and newspapers with oil paint on canvas to form subtle and interesting abstract or semi-abstract compositions. This development of the collage by Picasso and Braque, in turn, contributed largely to the transition from Analytical to Synthetic Cubism. At the recently concluded exhibition “Celebrating the Ordinary” held at India International Centre, artist Sukanta Dasgupta, presented his artistic mastery over this not-so-explored art form through 24 eye-catching pieces.

The whiz of the whimsical world of paper collage art recalling about his journey shares, “I had always been interested in art. During my school days, I was blessed to have some of the most talented art teachers who honed my skills, vision, and imagination as an artist. I got to explore fascinating branches from the myriad world of art. We were taught art in a very different way from art schools. The focus was on exploring ideas and thinking about art in a fresh manner. I have been painting for almost 35 years now, primarily with oil. However, for the last few years, I shifted my focus majorly towards creating paper collages. I enjoy creating these pieces because the onlooker also plays a part in forming the image. Papier Colle is French for paper and paste. It is a type of collage-making that involves both painting and pasting paper. I have explored various media as well as subjects about art and artists. My interests in mythology, religious beliefs, culture, and my educational background, in nuclear science, have all added to my knowledge base.” Wait,  did he say nuclear science? Well, yes, this artist extraordinaire is a retired defense personnel who is also a professor of nuclear engineering at the Tolani Maritime Institute, Talegaon.

“After my children got into a position where they were capable of taking care of themselves, I took an early retirement from the services to dedicate my time towards my first love — art,” shares the artist, adding, “But I love teaching as well so I dedicate my time teaching nuclear engineering to students by the day, but by night, my focus shifts to matters more aesthetic.”

Papier Colle is an unpredictable art technique. “The outcome,” Dasgupta reveals, “is apparent only when the work nears completion.” He shares that he selects and cuts paper exactly as if he were choosing brush strokes, keeping in mind the texture, direction, and length. About the tedious process of composing a papier collé, Dasgupta says, “The course of action is difficult. It needs more of seeing and less of working. I keep on rummaging through newspapers till I find what I want. Sometimes I have to go through ten magazines for one piece I need to complete the work. I choose the paper bits based on their reflectivity, printing style, texture, thickness, transparency, style of printing and much more. Paper behaves differently. Various magazines or newspapers work with dissimilar types of paper and for a particular artwork I use only one type. I prefer tearing the paper off by hand rather than cutting it by scissors since merging is easier by using the former method.”

Lastly, as an advice to budding artists who want to explore this art form, he shares, “The medium with its sharp, contrasting and quality, takes dedication, concentration, vision and sheer hard work. So work hard.”