As an artist I am convinced through my life that art is a powerful language capable of transforming man and his thoughts. The man who was there when he read a book will not be there later. Man is subject to change at the same time as going on a journey and bathing in a river. When such an ever-changing artist creates his work, he arrives at an innovative visual culture. When I lived with those crafts people in a traditional stone carving village for a year during my art education and did sculptures, I gained indigenous knowledge not available from any university. The historical, social and occupational customs and insights of a village led me to a new height of art. There I have read letters by Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theo, books by the Persian author Hidayat, and Mikhail Sholokhov’s “And Quiet Flows the Don”. From there the artist in me was able to acquire the lessons of an interdisciplinary art education. I sketched each villager every day for daily life and ate the food they gave me and I made sculptures in granite with their chisel and hammer. I believe that such experiences are not black for an artist and cannot be derived from an academic platform.

When I was doing my post graduation degree at M S University in Baroda, I had to drop out due to disagreements with the traditional studio practice and academic programs. But fortunate or unfortunate I became an academic practitioner in my later carrier. Later. When I did my second post-graduation at Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal, which was envisioned by the great Rabindranath Tagore, I became more aware of how the natural ecosystem is related to man. While working as a faculty member at art colleges, I recreated my teaching methodology and tried to put practical art learning methods into practice at the institution. Born into a middle class farming family in a village in Kerala, my artistic career is a transformation of our socio-ecological and political issues. As an artist, I try to mark or address them in my work because I can react most quickly to my environment and climate. I believe that the pollution of rivers and the killing of wildlife cannot escape the process of man taking responsibility for climate change. Symbols and forms that address the artist’s surroundings seek to be recognised in our art and cultural public sphere. That’s why in my works I paint mud, farm implements, and labor-related signs. I am proud of that.

After a long time, my passionate experiences that I have gained so far have inspired me to write short stories based on art and cinema thoughts. I think Gabriel García Márquez and Kafka, the Latin American writers of faith literature, were a great influence on me and were able to express their power in my stories and visual art. I accept making contextual drawings for my stories, like my paintings, as a combination of trans-media or thought. I have tried to interpret the relation between art and life and its contradictions and complexities in many ways but I have been able to make a few short films based on the fact that all human paths end in death. The process of filmmaking often adopts a new language of conceptual art that combines installations in form and ideas, while sculpture is powerful and maintains the condition of form in art forms such as paintings, sculptures and installations to paint pictures. Such works of art can strengthen a more democratic and open art practice and spread great and simple ideas.

My recent installation “Logic of Umbilical Cord” is an example of a work that incorporates audio recording of the intermittent cries of a variety of organisms in an assembly of objects using 1500 small pieces of wood and nylon thread.

Curriculum Vitae

1962    Born in Kerala, India

ACADAMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Studied MFA in Sculpture, Kalabhavana, Visva- Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India.

BFA in Sculpture, College of Fine Arts Kerala, Trivandrum, Kerala, India

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2021   Hamptons Fine Arts Fair, Southampton Arts Center, NY, USA

2021   Art Exhibition in Moonspace Art Gallery, Winter Street, Houston, Texas, United states of America

2021   ‘The world is one Family’, A large scale contemporary art show in The International Coir Museum organized by the Kochi Biennale Foundation and Government of Kerala, India.

2021   ‘Turtles can tell more about the road than hares’, Art exhibition, Kerala Museum, Kochi, Kerala, India.

2020   ‘Seeking the Source’ An online art exhibition curated by Natalie Atkinson, organized by Moonspace Art Gallery, Winter Street, Houston, Texas, United states of America

2020   Participation in Cochin Art Fair, Kochi Kerala, India.

2019   Participation in 20th Annual art show in Sooryakanthi art Gallery Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

2018   Participation in Cochin Art Fair, Kochi Kerala, India.

2018   Participation in Dekshinachithra painting exhibition in Goa, India.

2017   Participation in Conglomeration-Print making show, Cochin, Kerala, India.

2016   Participation in Burnt Art exhibition, Durbar Hall, Cochin, Kerala, India.

2015   Participation in Clipboard in Durbar Hall Cochin, Kerala.

2014   Contemporary art exhibition in Kerala Lalithakala Akademi art gallery, Trivandrum, organised by Vam Art Inc, New Jersey.

2012   Delhi Art Fair, curated by Johny M.L. in New Delhi, India.

2012   ‘Confluence-2012’, Contemporary art from Europe and Asia, Vam Art Gallery, New Jersey, North Eastern America.

2010   II Moscow International QUI VIVE? Biennale for young art, Moscow Museum of Modern Art organized by Govt. of India Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Russian Federation Department of Culture, Moscow.

2009   Contemporary art exhibition in Bangalore organized by Saffron art gallery, Bangalore, India.

2009   Contemporary art exhibition in Art Vethika, Banglore, South India.

2009   ‘Colors India’ Exhibition of contemporary art, organized by Sangrila Art Gallery, Trivandrum, in New Delhi.

2008   Cross Overs & Overlaps, Curated by R. Nandakumar, Apparao Art Galleries, Triveni Kala Sangamam, New Delhi.

2007   Annual art exhibition in Nandan Art gallery, Santiniketan, organized by Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan.

2006   Group show in Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India.

2006   Art Exhibition at Birla Art Gallery, Kolkata, India.

2005   ‘ ELEMENTS’ Art Exhibition, Curated by Johny M.L, at Travancore Art Gallery, New Delhi.

2005   “Fly High My Beloved Birds’, Art Exhibition,  Curated by Johny M.L, at Travancore Art Gallery, New Delhi,

2002   Art exhibition in Chennai, organized by Lalith Kala Regional art centre, Chennai, South India.

2001   43rd National Art Exhibition, Chitra Kala Parishath Gallery, Bangalore, organized by Lalit Kala Academi, New Delhi.

1998   Sculpture exhibition in Chennai, organized by Regional Art Centre, Lalit Kala Academi, Chennai, South India.

1994   37th National Exhibition, Academi of Art Chennai, Organized by Lalit Kala Academi, New Delhi, India.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2021    Exhibition of Paintings and Drawings in Moonspace Art Gallery, 2101, Winter Street, Houston, Texas.

2019   Slide presentation and experience sharing at Christal Room, Time Dunes, Dubai, UAE.

2018    ‘Earth Worms’; Exhibition of Drawings, Paintings and Installation in Lalithakala  Akademi Art Gallery, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

2017   ‘Earth Worms’; Exhibition of Drawings, Paintings and Installation in Triveni Art Gallery, New Delhi.

2015   ‘Earth Worms’; Exhibition of Drawings, Paintings and Installation in Durbar Hall, Cochin, Kerala, India.

2010   ‘Confidential Report: The First Blueprints of War,’ Curated by Johny M.L, Recent Works in Triveni Art Gallery, New Delhi.

2008   ‘Objects of Resemblance’, Paintings, Sculptures, and Installations, Curated by R.Nandakumar. Ishka Art Gallery, Cochin, Kerala.

2008    ‘Language and Meta Language’ Drawings and Paintings, Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery, Trivandrum.

2007   ‘The Objects of Resemblance’, Recent Sculptures and drawings, Curated by R. Nandakumar at Nandan Art Galleries, Santiniketan, West Bengal.

1998   ‘A journey beyond’, Exhibition of Recent Sculptures, Drawings and Installations, Museum Art Gallery, Trivandrum, Organized by Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, Kerala.

1993   Exhibition of Sculptures and Drawings, ABC Art Gallery, Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh, India.

CAMPS | SEMINAR

2018   National Painters camp in Ponmudi organized by Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, Kerala, India.

2015   National Painters camp in Malampuzha  organized by Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, Kerala, India.

2014   National wood carving camp and symposium both Traditional and Contemporary Sculptors in Kinhal, Hampi orginized by Karnataka University and Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India.

2014   Participation in art camp as protest against Aranmula Air Port Project, Aranmula Kerala, India.

2014   Participation in Arteria, a public art project, Trivandrum,Kerala, Inida.

2013   Organised Sculptors camp on monumental sculpture for freedom struggle of India organized by the Dept. of Archeology, Kerala.

2013   Presentation of paper on contemporary art scene, organized by Nethaji Research Centre, Haripad, Kerala.

2012   Art camp against violence on women in museum, Trivandrum organized by A.I.W.C.F, Trivandrum.

2011   State Artist camp in Museum Auditorium Trivandrum organized by Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, Kerala.

2007  ‘Greeshmam’ Art Camp in Ashoka Hotel organized by SPCH & ITDC, New Delhi, India.

2007   Documentary Film making camp with Anand Pattbharthan in Kalabhavana,  Santiniketan, West Bengal. 

2005   Dogra Casting Camp, Santiniketan, West Bengal, Visva- Bharati scholarship in Kalabhavana, Santiniketan West Bengal.

2005   State wood carving camp in Thunchath Ezhuthachan campus Thiroor, organized by Kerala Lalithakala  Akademi, Kerala.

2001   National camp in Stone carving in Bangalore organized by Lalit Kala Academi, Chennai & Shilpa Kala Academi, Bangalore.

2000   Sculptors Camp in Kila organized by Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, Thrissur, Kerala.

1998   Presentation of paper on’ Modernism: An Inter Disciplinary Seminar, conducted by the University of Kerala Kariavattom, Kerala.

1993   Artists and Sculptors Camp organized by North Zone Cultural Centre, Lucknow, India. 

1993   Sculptor’s Camp and Seminar organized by South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavoor. 

AWARDS

1992   National award- Highly mentioned certificate from Lalith Kala Academi, New Delhi, India.

1985. Vankattappa Cheppudira Ponnappa Rajaram memorial scholarship, Bangalore, India.

COLLECTIONS

Museum of Modern Art, Biennale Foundation, Moscow.

Moonspace Art Gallery, Winter Street, Houston, USA.

Vam Art Gallery, New Jersey, North America.

National gallery of modern art, Lalith Kala Academi, New Delhi.

Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University of Baroda, India.

Kalabhavana, Visva-bharati University, West Bengal, India.

Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, Thrissur, Kerala.

Venkattappa Art Gallery, Bangalore, India.

Silpa Kala Academi, Bangalore, India.

Reginal Art Centre, Lalith Kala Academi, Chennai.

And many private collections in the Art galleries in both India and abroad.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

2012-2018       Worked as Principal in Govt. College of Fine Arts, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

2012-2017       Worked as Principal in Rajaravi Varma College of Fine Arts, Mavelikara, Kerala, India.

2007-2012       Worked as Professor & HOD in Sculpture, Govt. College of Fine Arts, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

1996- 2007      Worked as Lecturer in Sculpture, Govt. College of Fine Arts, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

Presently living and working in Trivandrum, Kerala, India.  

External Links

Moonspace Art Gallery
Indian Express
Youtube
vamart
Saatchi Art
Kerala Tourism
Hampton Art Fair
New Indian Express
The Hindu

Moscow !
“Qui Vive?” Moscow International Biennale for Young
Art
beginning on the July 4 until 28th, 2010 will include an art project “Tradition
in Transition” by an Indian curator Preeti Singh Rajawat in collaboration
with a Russian curator Irina Urnova, slated to include as proposed the
artworks by 12 young, talented and up-and-coming Indian artists.
“Tradition in Transition” aims at presenting for the first time to the Russian
and International public the works of the artists Arpit Biloria, Ajay
Rajpurohit,Sharad Bharadwaj, Deviba Wala, Hitendra Bhati, Sukesan
Kanka, Sanjay Soni, Tensing Joseph, Padmini Mehta, Vipul Prajapati,
Umesh Prasad, Saiyed Akbar Ali, Sanjay Soni, and placing them in the
context of the global contemporary art scene.

Self Portrait, Drawing,1985, Indian Ink on paper

Drawing from Life, 1985, Pen on paper

Drawing for Sculpture,1985, Ink on paper

Drawing for Sculpture,1985, Ink on paper

Mother and Child,1985, Granite, 36XH 18W X18 D in

Lady with the Gun, 1985, Granite, 36HX24WX24D in

Head,1985, Granite,30HX18WX12D in

Dream Scape, 1988, Carved Wood, 36HX24WX18D in

Two Men, 1988, Carved Wood, 36HX24WX18D in

Drawing,1985, Indian Ink on paper

Drawing,1985, Indian Ink on paper

Drawing,1985, Indian Ink on paper

Drawing,1985, Indian Ink on paper

Drawing,1985, Indian Ink on paper

The Ways all End, 2018, Still from Video

The Ways all End, 2018, Still from Video