Amrik Chhokran's exhibition of photography 'Bollywood Dreams' aims to be the purest form of distraction and escapism for its audience. Using influences from Pop Art, Dada, Surrealism, Film, Bollywood, Music, Popular Culture and Hindu Philosophy Chhokran's work digitally manipulates images using layers, montage, collage and text over images using the latest in computer technology.

The artist explains further, "my exhibition explores the Bollywood film industry which proved the purest form of distraction / escapism for its audience. Many of these films are "stuff of dreams" with their highly unrealistic storylines."

The Mumbai (Bombay) industry is a prolific dream machine - it is amazing to find more than 800 films a year are released. These films tend to be spectacular melodramatic fantasies, containing a variety of ingredients - action, violence, music, dance, romance and moralising. Although dismissed as escapist, plenty of these movies get their narrative drive from social issues like communalism, ethnicity and caste. Many also address the effects of modernisation and urbanisation on traditional Indian institutions such as the family and marriage.

Amrik Chhokran's exhibition investigates the industry, Bollywood film stars, popular movies and what influences viewers to watch these films. The digital images are large and varied in size and consist of vivid colours to create powerful images and draw the viewers' attention.

I have explored the above issues and themes by incorporating them in my digitally manipulated images for example by using layers, montage, collage, text over images by using several computer software packages. Through digital manipulation my work attempts to creative thought provoking, creative and interesting images.

With an MA in Visual Communications from the University of Central England, (Gosta Green)and a BA (Hons) in Art and Design from University of Central England, (Bournville), Chhokran has perfected her art over these past six years.

Bollywood Dreams Exhibition - Tour Schedule

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