Is BFA Important for Becoming an Artist?
Crisis in the understanding of Fine Art in modern times is about the misconceptions surrounding the meaning and value of Fine Art, the journey of being an artist and whether it’s important to undertake the BFA course to become a Fine Artist. The impact of Art on the younger generation & the changing scenario of the Indian Art platform.
How a career as a professional Fine Artist is getting diluted by some false preaching? CRISIS IN FINE ART Crisis in the understanding of Fine art has been put forth by myself to highlight some disturbing trends witnessed by me as an artist. I am Sunando Basu, an artist (Govt College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, 2000) involved in a few arts-related government and private projects. For the past 25 years, I have been engaged in this field and am also running an Art institute successfully for the past 8 years, preparing students for various entrance exams. I also mentor and train upcoming amateur artists for a professional career-monitoring their overall development. Being an artist is a journey of emotions, senses, moods, feelings, atmosphere – similar to music & lyrics which have the power to evoke happy or sad feelings. Similarly, just drawing or painting a flower or a figure or a portrait without any feelings or emotions is NOT ART. This is the biggest misconception born out of some misguided teachings. You don’t become an artist just by drawing or sketching things you like. This is a kind of false preaching affecting the younger generation. As a result, the impact of Art is getting diluted in their young minds. Being an artist is a transformative journey and there is a step-by-step process for it.
There are no shortcuts, and you cannot afford to miss any steps. This gave rise to the question of the “following process” in my mind. What is this process exactly? And why is it important? I, therefore, raise the question of whether it’s important to get a BFA degree or not? If you desire to paint and exhibit & sell your works independently then it’s important for you to transform into an artist. This transformation is what makes you a true artist. This transformation starts easily in the 4 years you spend in an art college. Instead of half-baked knowledge of Fine art videos, here you are guided step by step to nurture and give shape to your talents, skills, and the inner artist within you. This nurturing helps you create soul-touching works for your audience. Even if you are unable to attend a proper college you should always strive to learn under an expert teacher who has undertaken this journey of transforming into an artist. Because being an artist is a journey.
During my 8 years of running an Art institute, I have seen a steady decline in the number of students wanting to pursue Fine art professionally, which I think is not a healthy development of the Indian Art scenario. Since my childhood, I have been surrounded by artists (my father is a poet and few of my relatives are artists in their own right) and this has impacted and transformed my life in ways which words cannot describe. I have grown into the person I am today because of Art. And I want the younger generation to experience a similar conversion. This is the reason for the bold step I have undertaken in highlighting these issues. There may be many people who might agree or disagree with me. For those of you who agree let’s join hands together and make this a “Movement to revive and support Fine Art in the true sense”.
Together we can build a community and spread awareness amongst the younger generation about the importance and value of Fine Art. That it is something beyond just a “profession”. For those who disagree, I welcome them to debate and put forth their points of view for further scrutiny and clarification. I would love to be enlightened by their opinions and willing to change my stance if I am wrong. Let’s pledge that “ART” wins this time.
