Roshan Chhabria

Roshan Chhabria is an artist deeply influenced by the dynamics of Indian middle-class life, particularly through the lens of his observations and experiences as the only son in a Sindhi middle-class family. His work is a reflection of this environment, drawing heavily from the everyday life that surrounds him. The subject matter he explores often stems from these personal and universal experiences, yet Roshan is committed to presenting them through his unique sensibilities. In his artistic practice, Roshan places significant emphasis on the formal quality of his work, particularly the precision of line drawing. He views this as a distinguishing factor of superior art, and it is a pivotal aspect of his identity as an artist. This pursuit of perfection in form often places him in a state of creative conflict, as he navigates the challenge of authentically illustrating his subject matter while maintaining the integrity of the formal aspects of his work. Roshan’s visual language is rich with references to locally published and affordable books, women’s magazines, newspapers, eye-catching local signboards, and texts from religious and educational books. Found objects also play a crucial role in his work, alongside both borrowed and original text. The use of misspellings and irregular conjugation adds a layer of humor, subtly commenting on the quirks of middle-class life. Influences on Roshan’s work include Bhupen Khakhar, for his formal elements, humor, and depiction of subjects; Robert Rauschenberg, for his use of material and found objects; Richard Hamilton, for his commentary on the changing dynamics of urban families; and Raoul Hausmann, for his innovative use of found objects. Roshan’s exhibitions often feature a cluster-like arrangement of works, texts, and relevant found objects, either on the wall or floor, evoking the feel of a flea market display. His work is deeply informed by popular culture, consumerism, and stereotypes, which are recurring themes in his artistic exploration. An excerpt from an article by Ryan Holmberg further captures Roshan’s approach: “...that overtly good kids act like funny automatons that led Roshan to dovetail the trope of ‘ideal boy’ with a Dada-inflected parody of Indian consumerism...Roshan's framing of Pop as an extension of Dada reflects a keen understanding of art history; it also reflects social conditions in India." Roshan lives and works in Vadodara.