"Incisive Instincts"
Paintings by
M. Sashidharan and Ajaya Kumar
Opening
Reception March 23, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
RSVP:
rsvp@tamarindart.com
Incisive Instincts brings together two Kerala born, mid-career artists who received their formal education from MSU, Baroda and have contributed tremendously to Contemporary Indian Art through innovative teaching methods and art making. After finishing his post graduation, Ajaya Kumar chose to return to Kerala where he joined the College of Fine Arts Kerala, Trivandrum as a lecturer while M. Sashidharan stayed back and opted for a teaching position at Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda.
Both artists display the instinct to observe as well as analyze, whether it is the introspecting realm of practical hypocrisy in Sashidharan's work or subtle criticism towards irreversible transitions occurring in environment reflected in Ajaya's paintings. Intriguing compositions churned out of this need clearly succeed to entangle viewers in a thought provoking argument.
About The Artists M. SASHIDHARAN(b. Kerala,
1951) has participated in a number of solo and group exhibitions. Some solo exhibitons include Cutting Chai at the Sarjan Art Gallery,
Baroda, 2009; Sky Keepers' Diaries at
the Museum gallery, Mumbai, 2008; The
Edge at Rabindra Bhavan Gallery, New Delhi, 2007; Lagetee, Fine Arts Company Gallery, Mumbai, 1999; Black Boxes and Glass, at Lakeeren Art
Gallery, Bombay, 1997-98; an exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay; a solo
exhibition at the Sophia College Art Gallery in Bombay, from 1993 to 1994 and
in 1991. Sashidharan's select group shows include: Tribute to Bhupen at Fine Arts Gallery in Vadodara, 2010; Keep Drawing at Gallery Espace, New
Delhi; and Maps, Metaphors and
Mythologies at Tamarind Art Gallery, New York, 2008. In 2000, Sashidharan
received the Kerala State Award for Painting. He is also the recipient of the
Charles Wallace Fellowship studying glass at Edinburgh College of Art, in 1996.
Sashidharan has participated in several residencies, collaborations and camps.
AJAYA KUMAR (b. 1957,
Kerala) joined the College of Fine Arts Kerala, Trivandrum, as Lecturer in 1984
and has been the Principal of the institution since 2002. Kumar has had a
number of solo exhibitions. His last show was at the Museum Art Gallery in
Trivandrum in 2009. In 1993 and 1992, he
exhibited work at the Art Heritage in New Delhi, in 1990 and 1986 at Jahangir
Art Gallery in Bombay, and in 1984 at Contemporary Art Gallery in Ahmedabad..
Kumar has also participated in several group exhibitions in the country and
abroad since 1983. In 2006, Kumar completed a massive exterior mural painting
called Archaeology of Memories at
"Over The Hill" resorts, designed by architect TM Cyriac. A site-specific
installation called 3 PM Memories
Reconstructed was completed in 2005. In 1998 he executed another mural at
Kerala Kalamandalam. Ajaya Kumar has been the recipient of several awards, in
1985 from the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, in 1983 from the Bombay Art Society,
and in 1982 from the Gujarat State Lalitkala Akademi.
Tamarind Art Gallery
Established
in 2003, Tamarind Art is an innovative forum for Indian contemporary art that
inspires and challenges global audiences to embrace an understanding and
dialogue about art in today's day and age. Tamarind Art encourages broad-based
practices, encompassing a myriad of realms such as painting, sculpture,
photography, installations, and video art projects. In addition to showcasing
high caliber art, our mission is to become the premiere resource center for
gaining an understanding of Indian art and artists who engage themselves into a
challenging spectrum of work. In dealing with global issues that reflect
contemporary society's concerns while documenting today's reality, rendered in
a veritable and expressive light, these artists yield artistic versatility to
Tamarind Art.
For more
information about Tamarind Art Gallery, please visit our website at
www.tamarindart.com
Tamarind Art Gallery is located at 142 E. 39th Street, New York, NY, 10016. Contact us by
calling (212) 990-9000 or
emailing info@tamarindart.com
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