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ART AS A CAREER
Simple though it may seem the term Art has very broad connotations. Loosely
defined the term denotes anything and everything that is aesthetically
appealing, visually delightful, and requiring certain skills. Accordingly
art includes a number of things: painting, sculpture, sketching, cartooning,
dance, music, singing, poetry, ceramics and pottery, photography, flower
arrangement (e.g. ikebana), interior designing and yes, even cooking!!!
In modern times, however, Art has been broadly categorised into two-three
groups e.g. performing arts, visual arts and fine arts etc. The latter
encompasses sculpture, painting, sketching, drawing and graphics.
India has a rich tradition and heritage or art. There are many individuals
who have attained the acme of fame. Yet there remain innumerable nameless,
inconspicuous but highly talented artists, who make significant
contributions to art who wallow in poverty and squalour. From painters of
Kalighat pat (Kolkata) pattachitra (orissa), kalamkari (hyderabad) Madhubani
(Bihar) to those of Pichwai (Rajasthan) Chamba (HimachalPradesh) there are
indeed hordes and hordes of them, who eventually pass into oblivion, unwept
and unsung.
The minimum qualification for taking up the course is Class 12. For the
degree courses, there is an entrance test in which the aptitude of a person
is checked. You may have to make a still life sketch as well as a free-hand
drawing on any medium from given topics. There is also a general awareness
section in which general knowledge is asked. The next step in the admission
process is the interview. A person should have substantial portfolio to
display during the interview.
It is important to practice drawing at home. For help and guidance, one can
approach students of the arts colleges or even the faculty members. In
certain cities, those who have just graduated organise crash courses too.
Free-hand drawing must be practiced too and the best of the work should be
selected for the portfolio.
Fine Arts
• PAINTERS: Painters paint portraits, landscapes, scenery, still life,
abstract design, murals etc. On different surfaces with different mediums.
• SCULPTORS: The sculptor carves figures, statues, monuments and other media
in imaginative designs by chiseling stone or carving wood or modeling clay.
Modern sculptors utilize materials like reinforced cement, concrete or white
bronze or plaster of Paris.
Commercial Art
The main work of commercial artists involves designing advertisement
displays, packaging, creation of visuals etc. This can be in the following
areas:
• DESIGN : The function of the designer is to be conscious of the
requirements of an industry. Designers usually work with a team of experts
from different disciplines, both technical and business. Their ideas have to
be tailored to fit in with commercial and technical requirements.
• GRAPHICS : This is concerned with lettering, illustration including
photography; the design of symbols and logos. Its also includes visual aids
for industrial and educational application, TV graphics, captions, programme
titles, all non-verbal TV presentations of information, such as election
result, trade figure trends etc; packaging , publicity and advertising,
stamp and letterhead design etc.
APTITUDE REQUIRED
Talent, dedication, an eye for form, ability to utilize colours and creative
ability to develop original ideas.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Specialists in the fine arts can work as freelancers or can be employed by
TV and film studios. They can teach art at the school level.
Specialists in commercial art have various job openings in art studios,
advertising agencies, publishing houses, departments of commercial
establishments etc. A large number of commercial artists are freelancers and
they design a range of items. They design for advertising agencies, fashion
houses and other places needing their expertise.
Institutes for Fine Arts
• Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai University of Bombay, Fort,
Mumbai 400032
• Faculty of Fine Arts, MS University of Baroda, Baroda
• Kala Bhavan, Visva-Bharati, Shantiniketan 731235
• Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025
• College of Art, New Delhi 110001
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