In the competitive realm of art, one name has emerged among the finalists of the 26th annual competition for portraiture and figurative art hosted by the Portrait Society of America. Sumanth Marda’s piece “Ao” not only showcases technical brilliance but also carries profound cultural significance. In an exclusive interview with Nagaland Post, Marda, a Mumbai-based artist, sheds light on his journey, inspiration, and the intricate process behind his captivating artwork.
About the competition: Organized by the Portrait Society of America, founded in 1998 in Tallahassee, Florida, it is a pinnacle of artistic excellence. With a global membership exceeding 2,750, the society serves as a beacon for artists seeking to delve into the technical nuances and historical significance of portraiture and figurative art. Hosted annually, the Portrait Society of America conducts rigorous rounds of selection, with twenty finalists chosen to showcase their original works at The Art of the Portrait conference, culminating in the awarding of prestigious honors. About the Artist of ‘Ao’: Sumanth Marda’s academic background spans from computer science engineering to a bachelor’s degree in fine art in character animation from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. His transition to fine art in 2017 as a full-time artist, he admitted, was fueled by a passion for drawing, nurtured during his decade-long tenure in the animation industry, which was initially more of a hobby.
Interestingly, his passion for traveling, which has taken him places both nationally and internationally, sparked his inspiration, particularly his encounter with the vibrant culture of the Ao Nagas in Nagaland. “Ao,” his latest creation, was influenced by his visit to the home state of the Nagas, where he said, ‘I was compelled to draw them as I came to perceive them, and their unique identity. This work of mine attempts to capture an Ao woman in all her beauty, her culture, her traditional dress, and jewelry’. Adding ‘Nagaland is the unique pocket of culture they represent, not only nationally but globally’.
Selected as one of the elite finalists in the Portrait Society of America’s prestigious competition, Marda expresses both ‘honor and nervous anticipation’, adding ‘I hope I can do justice in representing the people of Nagaland and India’, at the “Art of the Portrait” annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in which the 2024 edition will be held on April 27 for the final announcement. As a finalist, Marda is eligible for William F. Draper Grand Prize of $50,000 cash award which may include other privileges yet to be confirmed only after the result announcement.
When asked about the artistic process which Marda has specialized in – hyper-realistic art, a genre of visual art characterized by the meticulous depiction of details to create works that closely resemble reality, Marda remarked that ‘It all started with a vision. I wanted to make a simple yet delicate portrait showcasing the tribe’s beautiful traditional jewelry.’ He happened to encounter a friend’s flatmate who belonged to the Ao tribe and, after a photoshoot, used that picture for reference and started with ‘charcoal’ as the medium, which took a painstaking 45 days, measuring 4 feet by 3 feet.
When questioned about how he balances realism with artistic expression and to self-rate his performance since he began his journey – to be as distinct as possible and balanced, he said, ‘Finding the right balance between realism and artistic expression is still an ongoing exploration for me. When you understand the fundamentals of drawing realism, you can further push the boundaries and explore techniques with your artistic freedom that can enhance the emotion of the artwork or direct the viewer’s eye around the painting. I feel like I am learning something new at my studio every day, and I have a long way to go still. When I first started out, as with most beginnings, I hardly had a real sense of where I was heading with my art. Now I have a much better idea about the kind of artwork I would like to’.
Inspired by renowned hyperrealists such as Dirk Dzimirsky (German Artist) and Antonio Castello Avilleira (Spanish Artist), who themselves are celebrated figures in the genre, Marda has found himself in, he continually seeks to expand his artistic horizons.
He admitted to having closely observed and learned from their techniques and workflow, and implement them in my his artwork while reflecting on his vast exposure to varied culture that ‘each moment, emotion, and encounter leaves an imprint on my artistic sensibilities. Whether it’s joy, sorrow, love, or struggle, my artwork becomes a reflection of my journey and the stories I carry within me’.
He boldly admitted that in terms of evolving contemporary art scenario and particularly hyper-realistic art, he said ‘Hyper-realism is often associated with technical mastery, but these days I see more and more artists exploring complex themes or stories within their hyper-realism works. In my opinion, this move towards more thought-provoking art gives hyper-realism a whole new level of meaning, which can be interesting and exciting’.
For aspiring artists venturing into the realm of hyper-realistic art, Marda emphasizes the importance of mastering the fundamentals while embracing experimentation and perseverance. He encourages artists as ‘don’t be afraid to mix things up! Trying out different mediums and techniques is like going on an adventure. You never know what you might discover or fall in love with. So, embrace the journey, embrace the mistakes, and most importantly, have fun with it!’
Looking ahead, Marda remains committed to celebrating India’s rich tribal heritage through his art.
His upcoming projects aim to shed light on the indigenous tribes of Northeast India, preserving their stories and customs for future generations, adding ‘Through my work, I aim to honor and preserve the essence of these communities, capturing their stories, rituals, and customs before they’re lost to time’.
For those interested, one may connect with the Artist through sumanthmarda@gmail.com or through his IG handle artofmarda.
(Staff Reporter)