Rediscovering Assam Through the Eyes of Sandeep Jigdung
By Nvyā Editorial | Published on Sep 20, 2024 | in Art Curators, Art gallery
Nestled in the lush, verdant landscape of Assam, a quiet artistic revolution unfolds through the work of Sandeep Jigdung. Born in 1978, Jigdung’s life and artistic journey are deeply intertwined with the rich tapestry of his homeland. His artistic vision is as profound as it is personal, reflecting a unique narrative of nostalgia, reverence, and celebration of the natural world.
Sandeep Jigdung, SAJI-0086, Untitled, 36 x 60 inches, Acrylic on canvas, 2024
The unmistakable greens that dominate his canvases are more than just a color palette; they are a tribute to his sensory experiences of the region. These hues echo the dense bamboo groves and verdant expenses that characterized his childhood, shaping his perception and emotional landscape.
Sandeep Jigdung, SAJI-0061, Untitled, 48 x 48 inches, Acrylic on canvas, 2022
One of the most striking features of Jigdung’s work is the towering bamboo groves that frequently appear in his paintings. These imposing elements seem to dwarf everything else in his compositions, reflecting not just the physical presence of these natural structures but also their symbolic significance in his life. For him, these bamboo forests are a metaphor for the immense, enveloping embrace of his homeland, a place that looms large in his memory and imagination.
Unlike the colonial-era scientific drawings of flora and fauna, works that were often motivated by control and exploitation, Jigdung’s art offers a starkly different perspective.
His approach is marked by a deep respect and sensitivity towards nature, contrasting sharply with the oppressive connotations of historical botanical illustrations. Where those scientific works were driven by a desire to catalog and dominate, Jigdung’s paintings are a heartfelt dialogue with nature, a respectful engagement that seeks to honor and celebrate rather than control.
Sandeep Jigdung, SAJI-0065, Untitled, 54 x 96 inches (diptych), Acrylic on canvas, 2022
Jigdung’s paintings are imbued with nostalgia and an earnest longing to relive the essence of his home. Through his use of motifs and values deeply rooted in his cultural and natural surroundings, he not only pays tribute to his origins but also invites viewers to experience the North East from his unique vantage point. His work serves as a bridge between his past and present, allowing him and his audience to reconnect with a landscape that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. In every brushstroke and color choice, Sandeep Jigdung’s art tells a story of homecoming and reverence. It is a testament to the power of art to preserve and convey the intricate beauty of one’s heritage while also offering a respectful counter-narrative to historical depictions of nature. For those who look closely, Jigdung’s paintings are not just visual experiences but emotional journeys into the heart of Assam, inviting us all to rediscover and appreciate the natural world through his eyes.
