Swaroop Mukerji

Swaroop Mukerji is a renowned Indian watercolourist who has been painting for over 20 years. He is interested in painting specific communities going about their lives – at work, home, worshipping and celebrating – in capturing a moment in time.  He will be presenting a vibrant series of watercolour paintings at the Academy. These were produced in March of this year while he was artist-in-residence at Bolton Street cottage, participating in the Wellington Asia Residency Exchange (WARE) programme, which is co-ordinated by Wellington City Council in partnership with Asia New Zealand Foundation. Swaroop has been inspired by Wellington’s large and diverse Indian Community. He has painted people including automobile engineers, a father and his new-born daughter, and the Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand. He has also captured events such as the Newtown Festival and the Indian Bazaar in Kilbirnie. A self-taught artist who gave up a corporate career to pursue his passion, Swaroop has exhibited around India and overseas. He is based in Kolkata where he recently undertook a project of work based on the Kolkata Police (the oldest police force in India), in honour of their 150 year anniversary. A book was published to mark the occasion and released by the Governor of the State. Swaroop Mukerji can be contacted at smuks@vsnl.com. For more information about the WARE programme please contact Wellington City Council’s City Arts team at arts@wcc.govt.nz or ph: (+64 4) 803 8021.