Celebrating Two Decades of Artistic Excellence: INFAC’s Lithography Workshop by Prabuddha Ghosh

Celebrating Two Decades of Artistic Excellence: INFAC’s Lithography Workshop

by Prabuddha Ghosh

The Indian National Forum of Art and Culture (INFAC), a public charitable trust established in 2005, has been a beacon of artistic promotion and cultural enrichment in India. As they conclude their 19th year and embark on their 20th, INFAC has planned a series of celebratory events throughout June and July 2024. These festivities reflect INFAC’s unwavering commitment for fostering the visual and performing arts across the nation. Although INFAC is based in Kolkata, West Bengal, they operate on a pan-India basis.

To inaugurate the celebrations, INFAC is hosting a workshop on lithography printmaking at the renowned studio ‘Lithos Graphein’, meaning ‘I write on stone.’ This event will be conducted by contemporary printmaking artist Binita Bandyopadhyay. Binita, an assistant professor at Grizzly College of Education in Jharkhand, holds a Master’s degree in Graphics and Print Making from Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal.

Binita Bandyopadhyay will lead participants through the detailed steps of lithographic printmaking, an art that transforms a stone into a medium for intricate prints. The process includes, preparation of stone (grinding, graining, and framing the stone), drawing (creating the reverse form of the artwork directly on the stone), accompanied by several treatments followed by the necessary steps like inking, proofing etc. before the final execution.

Lithography holds a distinguished place in Indian art history. While typography gained momentum globally, lithography became a favoured technique in India, which today boasts one of the largest print markets worldwide. Initially a means to reproduce art, lithography has evolved into a significant art form, sitting alongside typography, screen printing, intaglio, and 3D printing in expanding the horizons of print as an art medium.

Over time, lithography has matured from a reproduction method to a contemporary medium of art , garnering interest from collectors and connoisseurs. However, the traditional practice faces challenges from plate-lithography, a more user-friendly alternative. Despite its convenience, many traditional lithography artists, including Binita Bandyopadhyay, resist this shift, valuing the rich heritage and authenticity of conventional lithography.

Jayanta Khan, an INFAC trustee, emphasized the organization's dedication for two decades to art promotion, honouring the vision of their late founder, Tapas Gan Choudhury. Khan highlighted the importance of nurturing the talents of visual artists and making art accessible to everyone. The lithography workshop marks the beginning of their celebratory events.

INFAC's anniversary celebrations will continue with an artists’ camp, further demonstrating their steadfast support for contemporary art and culture. Over the past two decades, INFAC’s efforts have significantly contributed to the art community, fostering creativity and cultural appreciation.

As INFAC enters its 20th year, their initiatives promise to further enrich India’s vibrant artistic landscape. The lithography workshop by Binita Bandyopadhyay not only honours the historical significance of the medium but also ensures its continued relevance in contemporary art.