“Neil Chatterjee (b.2001, Fremont, California ) graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art ( MICA ) with a BFA in General Fine Arts with a minor in Sequential Arts in May 2023. Neil’s current focus lies in using the book to explore the capitalistic, hegemonic, patriarchal, and white world that dominates the world today. Complimenting his books are a variety of mediums like collage, drawing, insect pinning, and artistic taxidermy, which serve as a metaphor for humanity. His drawings, book arts, and insect pinning, have been featured in exhibitions nationwide in the USA, including California, Maryland, New York, Illinois, South Carolina, and online galleries; his first solo show focused on animals and took place at Red Bluff’s virtual gallery. His graphic design work has also been used for companies like Davinta Finances, Konfer, and the MICA Center for Student Engagement. He also has experience working as a muralist for educational institutes. Finally, he has served in a curatorial role for multiple venues like MICA’s Rosenberg Gallery, Maryland Art Place, and Make Studio. Some of his professional work experience has included MICA Exhibitions, Maryland Art Place, Make Studio, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. In addition, he received the 2022-2023 France-Merrick Fellowship at his senior year of college, an award given to students who have shown outstanding citizenship to Baltimore’s community. Most recently, he completed an artist residency and gave a speech and a salon show at South Porch Artists Residency.”
Artist Bio
Our world is dominated by capitalism and its destruction of the environment, democracy, community, and lives. It has constantly presented itself as the de facto best government known to humanity, while trying to outright deny injustices committed against the ecosystem, gender roles and expectations, and the ethnic cleansing of native people and their way of life, to name a few. My art utilizes the book as an object of critique and activism, analyzing the structures of the status quo and how they are normalized in our daily lives, while also providing alternatives to an equitable and collaborative future for all from a socialist perspective. Collage captures pieces of history, serving as proof against the billionaire’s claims that infinite economic growth is prosperity for everyone, or their gaslighting of climate change and its impact. Characters from popular culture serve as a reminder that fiction can be a powerful tool for shaping attitudes towards belief and action, a tactic utilized by both the left and the right. Illustrations of animals, taxidermy, and oxidized skeletons represent humanity, its closeness to nature, and how its behavior is not individualistic, but influenced by social systems that govern us all. Lastly, bold statements ensnare the truth, making it easy to comprehend. Witnessing my art practice, I hope people will come to realize that the world we live in is dominated by injustice and oligarchs who only care about themselves, and by rallying to stand against the current system, we can create a better world for all.