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T r a n s f o r m a T i o n

a special collection of artworks by a group of artists

curated by sushma bahl

August 2010

website: www.bcah.in

T r a n s f o r m a T i o n

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“Thou has a thousand eyes and yet not one eyeThou host a thousand forms and yet not one form” Guru Nanak

Devotion possibly the most basic human emotion, since the inception of civilization involves absolute faith, trust, admiration and a single minded pursuit for the subject of one’s dedication in which ever form or shape. It has been an incessant source of inspiration for writers, performers and artists of all ilk and societies while it has also been the spirit behind diverse cults and movements around the world. The seeds of devotion planted in the mind by desire or awe blossom into love or respect for the chosen subject that often transforms individuals and their life. Depending on its intensity and echelon, ranging from adulation to obsession for a particular entity, cause, idea or faith, human or saintly, factual or fictional, its pursuit can turn things around into one of the two extreme modes of renunciation or revulsion.

Devotion in multicultural Indian society, a land full of contradictions and numerous religious thoughts - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Judaism, Bahai Faith and various bhakti movements, is perceived as an abstract and metaphysical thought, essentially secular and spiritual. From early morning at day break to twilight at sunset, from birth to death, each day and activity is linked to people’s beliefs, their devotion and consciousness. The belief in the doctrine of Karma and the Cycle of life gets reflected in an eclectic mix of styles that re-write and re-present mythology and spirituality in varied genres of arts. The complex cultural and philosophical systems, myths and legends of India are not stories of the past but experiences that are lived and relived by each successive generation which turn into a root/source for artistic and cultural expressions as in the case of art included in this exhibition.

The multiple layered collection of 50 new creations by about 25 artists in this exhibition is inundated with metaphorical symbols, overflowing with devotion in its varied manifestations. Religious and spiritual leaders, ordinary mortals, objects and natural elements, ideas and aspirations, figure in the spread here of different oeuvres, forms and media – each focusing on devotion from a different perspective and in a contemporary context. The resonance of adulation, faith and commitment appears not just in terms of religious or Godly devotion but also human love, care for the environment, concern for self and society, to exude a complete dedication in some cases and infidelity in the others.

There are pensive and meditative portraits of spiritual gurus and Godly figures of Buddha, Yug Purusha, Krishna, Guru Nanak and others in delicate renderings by artists Arpana Caur, Satish Gupta, Shuvaprasanna, Sudip Roy, Sanatan Dinda and Dharmendra Rathore amongst others. Evocative of complete surrender to the idol of their devotion, the artists dig into their inner selves to seek solace and a relief from the transient nature of life and the ephemeral world around, goading one towards a

Devotion Transformation: Within & Without

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spiritual path of humility. There is a philosophical and mystical sophistication in their work as well as Sidharth’s art who paints using his hand made colours’s. The line between the sacred and the profane, ritual and performance comes into full play in Sanjay Bhattacharya’s depiction of devotion for Kali.

The meditative streak, in different forms and intensity, rings through abstract imagery in the canvases by Shobha Broota, Seema Ghurayya and Anwar. While Seema’s search and dedication for the lyrical is expressed through the ethereal intonations that immerse her delicate and almost Zen canvas, Shobha’s pristine imagery creates another worldly allusion for the eye of the beholder simultaneously expressing the vulnerability of its creator. The subtle palette and elusive form of Anwar appears with its attendant paradox. And devotion turns into a ritual that instills a mixed sense of conflict and confluence as enacted in visually rich and dense renderings by Jayasri Burman, Seema Kohli, Puja Bahri and Shipra Bhattacharjee.

Devotion transforms into adulation and obsession as search for human and physical love, be it a man for a woman or mother for her child. It comes to the fore as in the courting couples and other figurative compositions in paintings and sculptures by Asit Patnaik, Rajendra Mishra and Sheela Chamaria. Whilst love and faith are predominant in the aesthetics of these artists, it is trepidation and anger that underlines the canvases of Chandra Bhattacharjee and Kamar Alam. There is a suggestion of a move from certainty to doubt and a sense of loss or separation as figured in much of their work.

Then there are fluid depictions at cross roads between painting and sculpture and between the adorable and grotesque, with some folk cum tribal affinity in installations by Venkat Bothsa. The folk element continues to play through colourful paintings of Telangana women by Vaikuntam. There is a delicate vulnerability at play in the ceramic and digital work by Kristine Michael. Oscillating between a narrative and conceptual flow, the work makes a reference to nature with its changing moods and moves. Nature appears in a different mode and frame in Surya Prakash’s colourful landscape. The changing life patterns and the world around are seen to get differently moulded in metal sculptures by Dimpy Menon and Gagan Vij.

Together the suite of artworks in the show present a panoramic over view of a multiplicity of voices and views on devotion seen in a constant flux of transformation in rhythm with the changing pattern of life and the world around.

Sushma Bahl

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Greetings from Art Positive, a Unit of Bajaj Capital Art House!

I am delighted to bring to you ‘Devotion - Transformation’ our fifth annual show in our new and state of the art space at Lado Sarai. Hope you will enjoy this holistic collection on a theme that has been consistently engaging our endeavors, as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.

The concept of devotion for me is not restricted to religious fervor. It also encompasses positivism in one’s attitude to life in its varied spheres be it commitment to a cause, belief, person, profession or society. The art works in the show present multifaceted interpretations of devotion and the way it transforms things and individuals. There are works that evoke peace and spiritualism and others that provoke disquiet and action. The show has been in the making for the last several months and I feel privileged to have such a distinguished group contribute to make it so fascinating.

Gallery Art Positive known for its focus on seminal exhibitions including work by young and established artists has expanded over the last couple of years, to include other art initiatives such as specialized and personalized art advisory services. As a unit of Bajaj Capital Art House with its in-house expertise in wealth management for nearly 50 years, Art Positive has been hosting special shows, online exhibitions, master classes, personalized portfolios, discussions, book readings, art education initiatives as well as advice on buying, selection, display, insurance, handling, care and conservation of art. In its new location with more space in the latest art hub of the capital city at Lado Sarai, that includes an art gallery and a Book CaféArteria, it offers a relaxed and creative ambience to appreciate art in its varied modes, media and prices, from across the country. We will also be taking forward the BCAH Artist Fellowship for a mid-career artist announced last year, with another fellowship offer in 2010/11.

It has been a pleasure working with such a special group of artists as well as the curator Sushma Bahl and I am thankful to all of them for their creative devotion and inputs. The works in the show are all unique and refreshingly special - indeed a collector’s delight, which I am happy to share with you through this exhibition and the accompanying catalogue.

Cheers!

Anu BajajDirector

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anwar

arpana caur

asit kumar patnaik

chandra bhattacharjee

Dharmendra rathod

Dimpy Menon

gagan Vij

Jayasri burman

kamar alam

kristine Michael

puja bahri

rajendra Mishra

sanatan Dinda

sanjay bhattacharya

satish gupta

seema ghurayya

seema kohli

sheela chamaria

shipra bhattacharjee

shobha broota

shuva prasanna

sidharth

sudip roy

surya prakash

t. Vaikuntham

Venkat bothsa

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ANWAR

untitleDDry Pastel on Board

30” x 30”2008

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ARPANA CAUR

untitleD.....................................

.........” x ...........”...................

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ASIT KUMAR PATNAIK

foreVer greenAcrylic & Oil on Canvas

36” x 48”2010

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CHANDRA BHATTACHARJEE

untitleDAcrylic on Canvas

35” x 35”2010

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DHARMENDRA RATHOD

tales 25Oil on Canvas

48” x 48”

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DIMPY MENON

precariously on top of tHe worlDBronze on Graphite

30” x 14”

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GAGAN VIJ

once i kept goDBronze

25” x 22” x 22”

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JAYASRI BURMAN

untitleD.....................................

.........” x ...........”...................

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KAMAR ALAM

belieVeOil on Canvas

45” x 45”

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KRISTINE MICHAEL

essence of lifeCeramic

Group of Spheres approx2008

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PUJA BAHRI

untitleDOil & Acrylic on Canvas

48” x 48”2010

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RAJENDRA MISHRA

loVers 4Bronze

21” x 19” x 9”2010

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SANATAN DINDA

sHraDDHaAcrylic on Canvas with Wooden Frame

66” x 42”2010

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SANJAY BHATTACHARYA

“froM power to loVe” - a transforMationOil on Canvas

60” x 60”2010

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SATISH GUPTA

goVinDaOil on Canvas

36” x 36”

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SEEMA GHURAYYA

untitleDOil on Canvas

36” x 78”2010

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SEEMA KOHLI

aMalgaMationMixed Media on Canvas

36” x 36”2010

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SHEELA CHAMARIA

VatsalyaBronze

12” x 10” x 9”

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SHIPRA BHATTACHARYA

HeOil & Acrylic on Canvas

25” x 25”2010

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SHOBHA BROOTA

untitleDOil & Acrylic on Canvas

48” x 48”2010

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SHUVAPRASANNA

unionOil, Acrylic & Charcoal

35” x 45”2010

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SIDHARTH

untitleD.....................................

.........” x ...........”...................

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SUDIP ROY

blue boyOil on Canvas

48” x 48”2010

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SURYA PRAKASH

untitleDOil on Canvas

45” x 45”2010

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T. VAIKUNTHAM

untitleDAcrylic on Canvas Board

10” x 8”

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VENKAT BOTHSA

enigMa 2Fiberglass, Painted with Enamel Colors and Laminated with Melamine

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anwar

Anwar studied fine art at Gwalior passing his National Diploma in painting. His work marked for its minimalistic abstract renditions, appears in a subtle palette and allows the onlooker to search within. A recipient of many awards including at the prestigious All India Kalidas exhibition, Madhya Pradesh State Exhibition Bhopal, Bharat Bhavan scholarship Bhopal, South central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur, Mahakoshal Kala Parishad, Raipur, All India Arts & Crafts Society New Delhi, II Bharat Bhavan Biennial, Govt. of India Fellowship, National Award by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi and Govt. of India Senior Fellowship, his work has been a part of several group exhibitions in various cities across India besides having been showcased in solos. The artist lives in Delhi and works from his studio in the city.

arpana caur

Born 1954, Arpana Caur did her schooling and then Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in literature from the city while she continued to refine her skills in drawing and painting as a self learner. Arpana’s finely executed imagery with petite female and iconic figuration immersed in folk forms and legends are marked for their deeply spiritual and somewhat autobiographical undertones. She has worked in drawing, illustrations, printmaking, sculptures and executed murals and commissions that adorn public spaces and museums in Delhi, Bangalore as well as at Hamburg and Hiroshima. Winner of several awards including the VI Triennale India Gold Medal, Arpana is a Founding Trustee of the Academy of Fine Arts and Literature and of a museum of miniature and folk art that is housed there. Her work that has been the subject of a dozen thesis and films has featured in numerous shows all over India and in galleries around the globe including London, Stockholm, New York, Japan, and Munich and at Copenhagen National Museum from where it has been picked up for public and private collections at Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal and Chandigarh besides Dusseldorf, Singapore, Bradford, Stockholm, Hiroshima, Smithsonian Washington and Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Arpana Caur lives and works in Delhi.

asit kuMar patnaik

Born 1968, Asit Kumar Patnaik passed his Bachelor’s Degree in fine art from Government College of Art and Crafts at Khalikote and Master’s from BHU Varanasi topping the list. A semi realistic painter his narratives revolve around human psyche and interpersonal relationships of people in society. Recipient of several awards including gold medal at National Youth Festival and from Banaras Hindu University, Asit has recently been felicitated by the Government College of Art and Crafts his alma mater in Orissa. Exhibited in over 30 solo and group shows in India and abroad including the 10th annual Harmony show, where he was featured as the youngest participant in the ‘emerging artists’ section, Asit is also a regular participant at art camps and his work is held in various public and private collections in the country and overseas including USA, UK, South Korea, UAE, Australia, Bagladesh, South Africa and Switzerland besides that of the President of India. The artist is currently based in Delhi.

cHanDra bHattacHarJee

Born 1961 Chandra Bhattacharjee graduated from the Indian College of Art and Draftsman-ship in Kolkata and started his career as a

billboard painter and worked with Economic Times as their graphic designer before turning full time to painting. A soft palette, fine brushwork and somewhat hazy and haunting imagery contemplative in its earthy feel, are hall marks of Chandra’s art inspired by his rural and tribal associations. Chandra has participated in over 15 solo and many more group shows and his works have been exhibited in various Indian metros at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore, as well as internationally at Seoul, Munich, Singapore, Tokyo, New York, London and at Adana Biennale Turkey, Imprints- The Ueno Royal Museum Tokyo and XI Indian Triennale India. At these shows and during auctions held by Emami Chisel, Bonhams and Saffronart amongst others, his work has been picked up for important private and public collections. Chandra lives and works in Kolkata.

DHarMenDra ratHoD

Born 1965, Dharmendra Rathod did his graduation in art from Jaipur and Masters in Fine Art from Delhi College of Art. His artistic repertoire includes figuration, abstraction and installation while he has also dabbled in restoration and conservation work. Exhibited widely in several important shows in India and abroad, his work has won him accolades and scholarships including the AIFACS, Rajasthan Biennial, State Lalit Kala Akademy awards and a fellowship from Ministry of Culture. Some of his work has found its place in public collections such as Glenbarra Art Museum Japan and Wolgon University of Australia besides in personal and corporate collections such as the Ambassador of Denmark, DLF, Taj Hotel, Hero Cycles, U.P.S.C, State Bank of India and Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur amongst others.

DiMpy Menon

Dimpy Menon a graduate from the College of Art Chennai in first class, has continued to work as a sculptor refining her form and technique through consistent practice since then. Metal seems to turn into lithe material as she moulds it to give form to her kinetic compositions that celebrate life. Handling the entire laborious process of sculpting from a drawing to clay to bronze, Dimpy works in both small and large than life scale, and some of her work adorns public spaces in Chennai and at the Trident Bandra-Kurla in Mumbai. With solo exhibitions in Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and other metros, she has already had over 50 shows, throughout the country and abroad including at Dubai and London from where her work has been picked up for important public, corporate and private collections including those of Biocon, Standard Chartered Bank, Park Hotels, General Electric, The Oberoi, TVS and Leela Galleria. Winner twice of the State Lalit Kala award, the artist is currently working on some commissions including one for The Banyan, Bangalore. She lives and works in Bangalore.

gagan ViJ

Born 1971, Gagan Vij had his schooling and graduation in Delhi followed by a course in fashion designing. The study of fashion design, a period of apprenticeship under renowned sculptor Radhakrishnan and a brief stint as an art teacher in a school have all helped Gagan to master form, technique, intensity and skills required to turn a successful sculptor himself. His engagement with sculpture started early with a life-size piece that he was invited to make for the College library. En-capturing figures in their moments of contemplation he plays with clay and wax and works on the textures and balances to

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get the required angular movements. Some of his work comes in large size while others make beautiful table-top art pieces. Gagan’s work has been exhibited in several shows and he has done commissions for a number of important collectors and organizations including the Delhi Development Authority. He lives in Delhi and is currently working on a Monumental sculpture for the Commonwealth Games due in Oct 2010 from his sprawling and well equipped studio on the outskirts of the city.

Jayasri burMan

Born 1960, Jayasri Burman studied art initially at Kala Bhavan in Santiniketan and then at the Visual College of Art in Kolkata followed by training in printmaking with Monsieur Ceizerzi in France. Her drawings and paintings in mixed media are intensely dense, based on mythology and influenced by folk forms. Her work has been exhibited in several solo and group shows at Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore and other cities in India while international projects to her credit include Triennale in Germany and exhibitions at London. A recipient of the National award, her work is held in important public and private collections including the NGMA Delhi. Jayasri lives in Delhi and works from her studio at home.

kaMar alaM

Born 1979, Kamar Alam did his BFA in painting from the College of Art in Delhi followed by MFA from Lalit Kala Sansthan, Agra. Known for his distinct portrayal of human form his work brings forth the emotions hidden beneath the surface laying bare one’s perception and fears or dreams of life. There is a cool serenity that pervades his compositions as his protagonists appear to look inwards rather than outward. The figuration juxtaposed with a smearing of neutral elements at times and geometric shapes at others, makes engaging art. Winner of AIFACS Award for Best Painting he has two solo shows to his credit and his work has been exhibited in many group exhibitions held in different parts of the country and abroad including at Dubai. The artist lives in Delhi and works from his studio in the city.

kristine MicHael

Born 1960, Kristine Michael trained in Industrial Ceramic Design at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad followed by a series of apprenticeships including those with Gurcharan Singh at Delhi Blue Pottery, Ray Meeker and Deborah Smith at Golden Bridge Pottery Pondicherry and Alan Caiger-Smith at Aldermaston Pottery and Dartington Pottery in the UK. A keen artist, teacher and researcher, she also learnt Vegetable Dyeing for silk and cotton yarn at the Design Centre in Bangalore and trained in IB Visual Arts at Uganda, Kampala, and at Shanghai, China. Her work includes some amazing clay sculptural and functional objects in a range of methods and materials. Her recent experiments with digital imagery highlight her innovative spirit. Her stoneware, porcelain and earthenware work using a range of techniques including different types of glaze and luster has won her awards including as a Visiting Guest Artist at the Clay Studio, Philadelphia and a Nehru Trust Research Scholarship to the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, besides solo and group exhibitions in various parts of the country and abroad. Public collections at Cartwright Hall, Bradford, UK, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, USA, British Council, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi and Delhi Tourism Garden of the Five Senses, besides several private collectors own her

work. Her writing on ceramics has appeared in important publications and she is currently working on two important manuscripts on Indian ceramic practice.

puJa baHri

Born 1974, Puja Bahri learnt painting at Triveni Kala Sangam Delhi and followed it up with short courses at St Martins’ in London to refine her technique in mixed media and abstraction. Her bold coloured imagery features semi-clad human figures amidst nature, frequently accompanied by musical instruments or embellished with masks and crowns. Her recent experimentations include sculptural and video work. Her art has been exhibited widely in important exhibitions including those held at Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore and at Florence Biennale and can be seen in important private and corporate collections in various metros. Puja lives in Delhi and works from her studio at home.

raJenDra MisHra

Born 1950, Rajendra Mishra holds a Diploma in sculpture from Rajasthan school of Art in Jaipur. Hailing from a family of traditional murtikaars of religious and iconic imagery it seemed somewhat predictable for him to turn a sculptor, but his foray into contemporary forms and compositions is very much his personal choice and passion. His compositions of couples or single figures mainly in marble and some in metal and life studies in clay including those of F.N.Souza and N.S.Bendre, illustrate his fine workmanship. There is a different rhythm that seems to flow from his work carved laboriously amidst all the hustle and bustle of his studio cum workshop in the centre of Jaipur. Exhibitions of his work have been held at Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Ujjain. His work is held in numerous private and public collections all over India including the National Gallery of Modern Art and Sahitya Kala Parishad, New Delhi. Rajendra Mishra has won many accolades and awards for his art including the 47th National Akademi and Kalidas awards. He lives and works in Jaipur.

sanatan DinDa

Born 1971 Sanatan Dinda who mastered the art of creating Kathputli Durga and Milky Way Pooja Pandals as a young lad is a first class graduate in painting from the Government College of Arts and Crafts in Kolkata. Equally deft at painting, drawing, sculptures, mural making and installations his work adorns a meditative tone in a mix of figuration, abstraction, calligraphy and landscape forms. Sanatan has received many accolades ranging from winning the inter college competition to the prestigious Birla Academy Award. His work has been shown all over India as well an in the US, Singapore, Dubai and London finding its own space in notable collections such as that of the Duchess of Kent, the Belgium Consulate, ISKCON and in private homes across the globe. Sanatan lives in Kolkata and works from his studio in the city.

sanJay bHattacHarya

Born 1958, Sanjay Bhattacharyya did his Diploma in Art from the Government College of Art & Craft in Calcutta. A distinguished water-colorist and painter, his stint as a designer in the advertising industry at an early stage in his career, has left a deep imprint on the stylistic oeuvre of this artist whose work ranges from portraiture to cityscapes with their narrow alleyways and fading grandeur of old palaces and

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their inhabitants. A poet, photographer, film maker and musician, Sanjay a multi talented artist is winner of several awards who has exhibited widely all over India and abroad in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, UK, USA, Dubai, Hong Kong, London and a solo exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi. His collectors list besides several eminent individuals includes the India House London, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajputana Palace Hotel and Parliament House in India. Sanjay lives and works in New Delhi.

satisH gupta

Born 1947, Satish Gupta trained at the College of Art in the city followed by study of graphics on a scholarship in Paris where he spent two formative years working under French master etchers and artists. Painter, sculptor, graphic artist, muralist, ceramicist, designer, calligrapher and poet, Satish Gupta is a versatile artist. His paintings encompass portraiture, landscape as well as abstract imagery and reflect his deep engagement with mysticism and Zen spirit. His repertoire includes some colossal graphic murals and monumental sculptures that adorn public spaces including a recent larger than life sculpture installed at the new airport in Delhi. Winner of the Sanskriti award at an early stage in his career, Satish’s large body of work has been exhibited in nearly 40 solos and many more group exhibitions at important art galleries within the country and abroad covering Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Calcutta, London, Paris, Melbourne, Spain, New York and at Beijing during the recent Olympics. It is represented at important art centers including the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi and other collections in various parts of the world. The artist writes a regular column ‘Zen Black, Zen White’ for the First City magazine and his work has featured in two large format illustrated books over the years. Satish lives in Delhi and works from his studio on the outskirts of the city surrounded by a Zen Garden of his own design.

seeMa gHurayya

Born 1965, Seema Ghurayya did her National Diploma, specializing in Painting followed by a Masters in painting from Jiwaji University, Gwalior. Her minimalist abstract paintings in oil on canvas appear in between form and formlessness as if floating in a void. Layers of geometric shapes, diagonal or orchestrated lines in muted colours, exude energy a sort of serene music emanating from within the open space of sparsely rendered shapes. With nearly a dozen solo shows and around 25 group Exhibitions to her credit, Seema’s art works are held in various collections in India and abroad including the C.M.C. New Delhi and London; Roopankar Museum, Bharat Bhawan, Bhopal; Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi; INTACH, Gwalior; Xal Praxis Foundation, Mumbai amongst others. Accolades to her credit include Raza Foundation Award. The artist lives and works in Bhopal.

seeMa koHli

Born 1960, Seema Kohli studied philosophy followed by a Diploma in Applied Arts. She trained in Lithographs and subsequently learnt painting at Triveni followed by a brief residency at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal. Conceptually her art explores and plays around with themes such as procreation and feminine concerns as well as recycling and natural phenomena. A graphic artist and painter she also works in film making, ceramics, murals, sculptures, performing art and installations. She has created her own niche in contemporary global art scene winning the Gold award at the Florence Biennale for her

video, the FICCI Young FLO Women Achiever’s Award and the Lalit Kala National Award for her art, all within 2009/10. Her work shown in several solo and group shows in various Indian cities and around the world as well as in London, Singapore, Dubai and Europe has been picked up for corporate, public and private collections including murals that she has done for the Ministry of Defense and International Airports at Delhi and Mumbai. Her Yajurveda – an installation in steel, produced in collaboration with Jindal Steelworks adorns the campus of the Manipal University at Karnataka. Seema lives in Delhi and works from her studio at home.

sHeela cHaMaria

Sheela Chamaria studied for her BSc Degree in Science from Hindu College, Delhi University before doing diploma in Sculpture. An exposure to Wax Paintings by German Artist, Michael Tysiak, has been a major influence in her work that rotates around dynamic figuration, focusing on human form. Inter personal relationships are articulated in stone, metal and fiberglass compositions that she sculpts diligently. With over fifteen years of experience in the field, she has 12 solos and more than 28 group Exhibitions to her credit. Sheela has shown extensively in India and abroad including a solo of her Wax Paintings at Cleveland Ohio. Besides her own practice she also holds regular classes in sculpture at her Studio and also conducts workshops in various school & Colleges. Her works are in the collection of Luxor, Oswal, Stevens Inst. of Tech. USA, Jindal Group, Ranbaxy and other private and corporate collections in India and abroad. She lives and works in Delhi.

sHipra bHattacHarJee

Born 1954, Shipra Bhattacharya is a B.Sc. graduate, who later studied Fine Art at the College of Visual Arts, Kolkata, under the guidance of her teacher and mentor Shuvaprasanna whom she later married. Shifting her gaze from broad urban themes, she has focused her intricate renderings around a stylized woman figure as her protagonist in an interesting mix of reality with fantasy. Ever since her first solo show in Kolkata in 1981, she has made her presence felt on the country’s thriving art scene with over a dozen solo and many more group shows in various metros besides those held at Singapore, Hong Kong, London, New York, Germany and Dubai. Her work adorns various public, corporate and private collections. She lives in Kolkata and works from her studio at home.

sHobHa broota

Born 1943, Shobha Broota did her Diploma in Fine Art from Delhi College of Arts, and also learnt singing. Coming from a lineage of artists her work hailed for its philosophical depth, appears meditative in its abstractions. The reverberating rhythms in oscillating patterns in her art, that entails using various mediums, command concentration on one’s part to appreciate them fully. With an artistic career that includes teaching and practicing art, spanning more than four decades, Shobha’s work has been exhibited extensively in India and abroad including Delhi, Mumbai, Singapore, Chicago, Sydney, London, Hungary, Poland, Italy, as well as the VIth Triennale India and Asian European Art Biennale at Turkey. A recipient of the AIFACS and Sahitya Kala Parishad awards, her work is held in important private and public collections in India and abroad. Shobha lives and works in New Delhi.

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sHuVaprasanna

Born 1947 Shuvaprasanna or Shuva as he is fondly called, studied art at the Indian College of Art in Calcutta. His checkered career spanning nearly four decades includes a varied range of work as a graphic artist, painter, educator, writer and art activist. The urban milieu of Calcutta the city to which he belongs, has figured prominently in much of his work that often comes in series ranging from cityscapes to clocks to crows and owls. Passion flowers with their discrete erotic undertones and divinities series in vibrant colours marked a creative breakthrough for the artist whose work comes in varied media- graphics, oil on canvas, drawings on paper, charcoal, and mixed media while he has also experimented with sculptural forms and installations. Founder of College of Visual Arts and Arts Acre, An Artists’ Village in Calcutta and member of Art and Artists, Calcutta Painters, CIRCA Geneva, he is a recipient of several awards including the AIFACS, State LKA and Birla Academy Awards. Shuva has also written on matters of art and issues of social concern and his art has been exhibited in over 50 solo and group shows in various Indian cities and beyond including the Biennales at Bangladesh, Havana and Ankara and VII Triennale India with works in the collection of NGMA, LKA and College of Art, New Delhi, Chandigarh Museum Punjab University, Birla Academy Calcutta; Times of India Group, WHO Geneva and Glenbarra Art Museum, Japan, amongst others. Shuva lives in Kolkata and works from his studio in the city.

siDHartH

Born 1956, Sidharth began his tryst with painting at a tender age, learning first from his mother then as an apprentice with a billboard painter followed by the time he spent with renowned Indian painter, Sir Shobha Singh. Six years of learning Tibetan Thangka painting while living in a monastery as a monk at Dharamshala and later a diploma in painting from the College of Art at Chandigarh have given this versatile artist a sound grounding in a range of techniques and schools of painting. Inspired by folk and classical Indian art, Sidharth makes his own paper and colors from minerals and vegetable pigments to create a fine blend of multifarious aesthetics including Buddhist, Sikh, Sufi and Christian traditions in his paintings, sculptures and video art besides through his work as a writer, poet and designer. With numerous exhibitions both nationally and internationally and awards and accolades to his credits Sidharth has been the subject of a couple of films and his work is held in numerous public and private collections in India and abroad. He lives and works in Delhi.

suDip roy

Sudip Roy graduated from the Government College of Arts and Crafts in Calcutta. The inspiration for his realistic rendering of everyday life comes from the people and objects that he sees around. It is his palette and compositions in his distinctly styled imagery that turn inanimate objects into sensuous and pleasurable visuals. Equally deft in working in oils and water colours, his themes include icons and other subjects of human interest. A recipient of several awards including a Gold Medal from the Sahitya Parishad and an award from AIFACS, Delhi his work has been exhibited in solo and group shows in several cities across India and as well as abroad and is held in many important corporate and public collections. The artist lives in Delhi and works from his studio in the city.

surya prakasH

Born 1940, Surya Prakash studied painting in Hyderabad and apprenticed under renowned artist Ram Kumar in Delhi. In an impressionist oeuvre, his paintings capture the various moods and hues of landscapes and forest-scapes, as if to record the beauty of nature - as an act of homage. Credited as a pivotal agent in promoting modern art in his home state and at Hyderabad, when there were no galleries to exhibit, Surya took a lead in organizing various art camps and exhibitions and took part in the national exhibitions of the 70s and 80s. On the advisory board of various national arts institutions, his work has been exhibited all over the country and internationally in group and solo shows. Several public and private collections hold his work, and one can see a substantial body on display in the collection at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute and at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, both in Hyderabad. Winner of many awards including the National of the LKA and Kala Vibhushan of the AIFACS, Surya Prakash lives and works in Hyderabad.

tHota VaikuntaM

Born 1942 and starting to train as an artist late in life, Thota Vaikuntam graduated in painting from Hyderabad University and spent a term at the M.S. University in Baroda training under master artist K.G. Subramanyam. His earlier career included work on film-set designs and teaching art and craft to children. Vaikuntam known for his dark and voluptuous Telangana women and greedy priests that include an interesting mix of tradition and colours has developed a style, which is quite earthy and reverberates with the rhythm of his native surroundings. Winner of several awards including the National, Hyderabad Arts Society and the Bharat Bhavan Biennale award, his career and work that has spanned over 30 years has been featured in a retrospective that was held in Delhi and London together with a publication. His work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions in most of the Indian metros as well as overseas including VII International Triennale, Art Encounter, Germany, India-Encounter II, Lee Arthur Studio New York. His paintings are a part of several renowned collections. Vaikuntam lives and works in Hyderabad.

Venkat botHsa

Born 1961, Venkat Bothsa did his B.F.A from Andhra University followed by M.F.A from Banaras Hindu University. His brightly coloured fulsome figuration inlayed with busy embellishments of all kinds and forms- may be taken from natural elements or sourced from media and photographs such as cityscapes or the advertising world or Bollywood or technological gadgets or even scenes from abroad, appear familiar and fun filled on a first glance but somewhat strange and surrealist on a closer study. His larger-than-life exuberant dramatic sculptures in fiberglass come in a mix of mythology and cinematic reverie. His artistic career includes working in different tribal art and life museums for the Andhra Government as well as hundreds of sculptures and installations that he has created on commission for public and private collections across the State and beyond. His work has been exhibited in four solo shows and several group exhibitions in various metros as well as at LA, London, Lyon and Toronto. The artist lives and works in Vishakhapatnam.

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art positiveA unit of Bajaj Capital Art House: Artist’s Fellowship 2010-11

Art Positive, a unit of Bajaj Capital Art House (BCAH), offers a one year fellowship aimed at mid career art practitioners to celebrate and support their creative growth. The fellowship, started last year in 2009, is open to artists working in any visual art medium. It presents a unique opportunity to the selected BCAH Fellow Artist to think afresh and work for a year on a new project or body of work of his/her choice that will then be featured in a solo exhibition with an accompanying catalogue sponsored by Bajaj Capital Art House and held in their gallery Art Positive at Lado Sarai as outlined in the broad framework below.

Eligibility: Mid-career Indian nationals residing in any part of the country and practicing as visual artists in the age group 25 – 40 years, who have had at least 4 solo or group shows to their credit, are eligible to apply.

Creative Disciplines: Artists working in any creative visual art discipline including, but not limited to painting, drawing, illustration, studio ceramics, sculpture, photography, digital arts, landscape art, fiber and textile arts, installation art, public art and conceptual art etc may apply.

Cash Grant: The selected artist will be awarded a fellowship of rupees one lac (Rs 100,000) as a lump sum grant payable in 2 or 3 installments as mutually agreed, to help facilitate the work. The grant could be used for research, travel, material or acquiring facilities as outlined in the project proposal and agreed with the selection board.

Exhibition: The fellowship will conclude with a curated solo exhibition at our gallery, Art Positive-a unit of BCAH, at F-213/B, Old MB Road, Lado Sarai, New Delhi-110030, accompanied by a catalogue that BCAH will sponsor and present to showcase the new work created during the year at a date and venue to be mutually agreed.

Applications: The prescribed application form can be downloaded from BCAH website at www.bcah.in or collected from the Gallery office at Art Positive- a unit of BCAH, F-213/B, Old MB Road, Lado Sarai, New Delhi- 110030, Phone: 011- 41602545, 011- 46604128, E: info@bcah.in The completed application form with listed supporting documents and work images should be submitted to the BCAH at the address provided, latest by the first week of December, 2010.

Selection Procedure: All applications that meet the set criteria will be reviewed by a panel of experts. The final selection will be made on the basis of the artist’s track record, current body of work, project proposal, future potential and motivation to develop their work. Those shortlisted will be informed and invited for an interview to be held in February 2011 after which the final selection for Bajaj Capital Art House Fellow Artist of the year for 2010 will be announced.

For further enquiries: In case you wish to seek any further information or some clarification please check our website www.galleryartpositive.com & www.bcah.in or contact -

Ankita Gopal M: 9818268788, E: ankitagopal@bcah.in

27.07.2010

bcah services

1: One stop centre

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4: Exhibition program

5: Other art events and online shows

6: Events

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8: Personalized advice on buying & selection of art works

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F-213/B, OLD MB ROAD, LADO SARAI, NEW DELHI-110030

T: 011-46604128, 41602545email: ankitagopal@bcah.in

HeaD office

BAJAJ CAPITAL ART HOUSE, 97, NEHRU PLACE, NEW DELHI-110019

email: info@bcah.in

website: www.bcah.in

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