Through sculptures composed of countless chip-like wooden fragments and bright metal lines that follow the curves of undulating forms, Tapas Biswas reimagines traditional sculptural techniques—modelling and carving—through a contemporary, constructionist lens. His innovative methods enable the creation of large, yet lightweight figurative works that evoke the elegance of natural forms. While his materials and processes are experimental, Biswas remains rooted in conventional themes and classical sculptural idioms, prioritising visual communication and aesthetic resonance over conceptual complexity.
Born in 1972 into a family of artisans—his father a jewellery designer—Biswas is a prominent sculptor from Bengal. He studied sculpture in Kolkata and Varanasi, developing a mastery of metal casting. For much of his early career, bronze remained his primary medium. His early bronzes of the Banaras Ghats are particularly notable, capturing his deep fascination with the city’s rich cultural and spiritual landscape through refined modelling and casting.
In recent years, Biswas has added to his oeuvre by developing large-scale, visually compelling yet lightweight sculptures, expanding beyond bronze to experiment with unconventional materials and techniques. His newer works, particularly those inspired by floral forms, reflect a meticulous and architectural approach—akin to that of a mason building with precision and intentionality. These sculptures stem from years of experimentation with the forms of fallen flowers and foliage, thematically anchored in the transience of time and ideas of decay, impermanence, and mortality.
Hollows and voids play a significant role in these works—both structurally and symbolically—creating a dynamic tension between positive and negative space. These gaps function as conceptual passages, embodying absence as much as presence. Drawing inspiration from nature—withered flowers, wasp nests, seed pods—Biswas captures their essential rhythm and internal vitality. His sculptures privilege form and volume over minute detail, evoking a quiet intensity that speaks to life’s fragility and cyclical nature.
