Express press service

DELHI: The sculptor-painter Paresh Maity is one of the most important names in the modern Indian art space. Originally from Tamluk in West Bengal, it was a visit to a Durga Puja pandal near his home at the age of eight when Maity, currently based in Greater Kailash, realized his desire to pursue the art.

“Every day I watched artisans making clay idols of Maa Durga. Sculptors would take formless clay and seamlessly shape it into idols. I still remember that moment like it was yesterday. J “I was hypnotized by it and wanted to do something of my own. I took some clay from it and started making little figurines out of it,” says the 58-year-old artist.

Making her first appearance in the metaverse, Maity created a collection with five non-fungible token (NFT) artworks, three of which include a physical asset.

His first NFT collection, launched by Kolkata-based Gallery Art Exposure, was auctioned at WazirX NFT, an NFT marketplace for artists and creators, on March 4.

“When the NFT craze started, a friend of mine encouraged me to get into this kind of art form. However, it was Somak [Somak Mitra, director of Gallery Art Exposure], who encouraged me to finally create a collection like this. I’m very old school but once I got the hang of it I wanted to surprise my viewers,” Maity shares.

Dive into the Multiverse

For those unfamiliar with NFT, it is a digital asset that runs on blockchain networks. However, unlike a cryptocurrency like bitcoin, which is also powered by blockchain technology, NFTs are not interchangeable, which makes them unique. Currently, NFTs are disrupting the mainstream art world and several artists are dipping their toes into this one-of-a-kind space.

“Today’s world has moved to a fully digital platform. From ordering food to shooting a movie, everything can be done virtually,” says Maity, talking about offering her works as digital assets.

He continues: “There are different people in the world that I cannot reach with my physical exposure. However, thanks to NFTs, I will be able to reach an absolutely new audience.

Maity has given a modern twist to conventional art in this collection. Of course, his characteristic use of vibrant primary colors was always an integral part of these paintings. However, unlike his traditional works, these pieces took on a more abstract angle, making them open to interpretation.

Among the five paintings were abstract impressions of Benares and Manhattan cityscapes. “They were very animated versions of my paintings. In “The City Never Sleeps”, [which is about] the Manhattan cityscape, you will be able to see the house move. Similarly, the cityscape painting of Benares shows boats floating in the Ganges. Usually artworks are stationary. However, with this medium, viewers will be able to see my works in a completely different light,” adds Maity.

Talking about how artists are embracing NFTs, Maity concludes, “Time is real. We have to catch up with time. »