Photographer Rohit Chawla has released a new book titled "Portrait of an Artist," featuring portraits of 68 celebrated Indian artists [1].
The project provides a rare glimpse into the private creative spaces of India's most famous figures. By documenting these artists within their studios, the work aims to preserve the untold stories and personal journeys that shape their professional legacies.
Chawla said the project during an episode of "Loves Books," where he detailed the process of capturing these subjects [1]. The collection is the result of a project that spanned over a decade [2]. This long-term commitment allowed Chawla to build the necessary rapport with the artists to capture authentic moments in their working environments.
The book focuses on the relationship between the artist and their studio. These spaces often serve as a reflection of the artist's psyche and creative process, a bridge between the conceptual and the physical.
By centering the narrative on the studio, Chawla avoids traditional celebrity portraiture. Instead, the images emphasize the tools, chaos, and quietude that define the act of creation [1]. The resulting volume serves as both a visual archive and a historical record of contemporary Indian art practice.
Chawla said the goal was to share the creative journeys of these individuals. The book presents the artists not just as finished products of fame, but as laborers in their respective crafts [1].
“Portraits of 68 celebrated Indian artists photographed in their studios”
This project contributes to the archival documentation of Indian contemporary art. By focusing on the studio environment over a 10-year period, Chawla shifts the focus from the final artwork to the labor and environment of the creator, providing a sociological record of artistic practice in India.
