We were lucky to catch up with Anagh Banerjee recently and have shared our conversation below.
Anagh, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
In the US, being a brown man from India, who is not in the tech industry, can be intimidating. But over a period of time, I have had to practice not only being comfortable in my skin but also flaunting what I bring to the table, as an artist coming from a very rich and unique culture. During my time in the MFA Illustration program at the School of Visual Arts, we were constantly encouraged to tap into the things that we know the best – sights, sounds, and stories that form the social fabric of India. In a place like New York City, it is easy to fall into the trap of making art “that will work” and making art that “fits the trend”. And although that can bring short-term success, after a while, it all starts to merge into a homogenous mix of visual content. It is only when I consciously try and derive inspiration from my unique background, is when my work starts to stand out.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am an Indian illustrator and printmaker, based in Brooklyn, NY. I work in the editorial and picture book industry. Some of my clients are The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Folio Society, and World Magazine. I would like to believe that in a visual landscape populated by fast digital work and a certain trendy visual vocabulary, my work stands out as something hands-on, something that makes the viewer slow down and stay with the details and marks that are integral to my work.
I have an ongoing labor of love project on the Partition of the Indian subcontinent, a series of woodcut prints that studies the human side of Partition. This is a body of work that I am constantly adding to and figuring out ways to expand and share with the world.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. I take my time and do things slowly. Maybe that isn’t very ideal. But it helps my work. 2. I invest a dedicated amount of time away from my work, grappling with some of my other interests like music, books, etc. That might sound counterintuitive, but it helps bring a different energy to my work.
3. I am very nerdy about my work. I collect all the material possible to learn as much as I can about the techniques I use and the medium in which I work.
Advice for those who are early in their journey:
1. Allow yourself to fail.
2. Persist with the things that give you joy. Even if, at times it may seem as if that may not bring any returns.
3. Take long walks.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
It would be reductive to say that it is one thing. Although they hardly understand my work and career, they have always been supportive. Unfortunately, in uncertain times, they suffer with me. This is something I won’t ever take for granted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://anaghbanerjee.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anaghbanerjee/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anagh-banerjee-60822796/
