Shuvaprasanna to Open New Year With Charlie Chaplin Art Exhibition in Kolkata
Explaining why he chose Chaplin as his subject, Shuvaprasanna said some individuals transcend time and remain eternal — one of them being the legendary actor. (Photo: Special Arrangement/The Hindu)
Kolkata: Renowned Bengal artist Shuvaprasanna will begin the New Year by celebrating the legacy of legendary actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin through a 20-day exhibition showcasing 30 of his artworks. The exhibition, titled A Genius and the Common Man, will be held at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity from January 2 to January 22.
Speaking about his inspiration, Shuvaprasanna described Chaplin as one of the two defining cultural geniuses of the 20th century, alongside Pablo Picasso. He said Chaplin’s artistic brilliance lay not only in his mastery of cinema but also in his deep understanding of society and his critique of fascism, conveyed through humour, irony and powerful visual expression.
A distinctive feature of the exhibition is the medium used. Instead of traditional pastel, oil or acrylic paints, Shuvaprasanna has employed acrylic ink sprayed onto the surface to capture Chaplin’s iconic facial expressions, postures and gestures. The artist said he carefully studied Chaplin’s body language to recreate the emotional depth that defined his screen presence.
Explaining Chaplin’s continued relevance, Shuvaprasanna said certain individuals transcend time and remain eternally influential. He noted that Chaplin’s work expressed joy, sorrow and resistance to injustice, often responding to social upheaval with satire and humanity. Films such as The Gold Rush reflected the turbulence of their era while offering insights that continue to resonate today.
The exhibition seeks to present Chaplin not merely as a cinematic icon but as a humanist whose creative expressions continue to illuminate contemporary society.
Our Final Thoughts
Shuvaprasanna’s exhibition highlights how timeless cultural figures like Charlie Chaplin continue to inspire modern artists. By reinterpreting Chaplin through contemporary techniques, the show bridges past and present, reaffirming the enduring relevance of art rooted in human experience.
