Question

This graphic print by Somnath Hore shows a group of deprived figures, from your syllabus.
(i) Mention the name of this artwork and what in your view is the artist conveying?
(ii) Briefly describe the compositional arrangement.

Hint:

To understand Somnath Hore's work, remember that he did not use ink. Instead, he let the natural shadows in the paper's deep cuts speak for themselves. The paper pulp itself becomes a raw canvas of human tissue and suffering.

Answer 1

Step 1: Identifying the Artwork and the Artist's Message (Part i):

• Title of the Artwork: Wounds
• Artist: Somnath Hore
• Medium: Paper Pulp Print (Cast Paper White-on-White Intaglio)
• Period: c. 1970s

What the Artist is Conveying:
Somnath Hore was deeply affected by human suffering, having witnessed the devastating Bengal Famine of 1943, peasant uprisings, and political violence. Through the abstract and stark imagery of Wounds, he conveys the deep emotional and physical scars left by poverty and war. Rather than depicting specific victims, he presents a universal scream of pain, focusing on the shared wounds of humanity.

Step 2: Describing the Compositional Arrangement (Part ii):
The compositional structure of this print is highly minimalist yet emotionally powerful:

• Tactile Textural Contrast: The entire composition is built on a single sheet of handmade, pristine white paper pulp. The visual interest relies entirely on the rough, raised, and gashed textures created by pressing wounds directly into the pulp.
• Absence of Color: By avoiding color and using a white-on-white composition, the artist strips away all distractions. The shadows cast by the deep cuts, tears, and punctures create subtle tones of grey, giving the artwork a raw, bone-like appearance that resembles scarred skin and human suffering.