"Incisive Instincts"  |
Paintings by
M. Sashidharan and Ajayakumar
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, Ajayakumar 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 Ajayakumar'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, 1961) has participated in a number of solo and group exhibitions.
Some solo exhibitons include The Edge at Rabindra Bhavan Gallery, New
Delhi, 2007; 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 and the first solo exhibition at gallery 7, Mumbai in 1989. Sashidharan's select group shows
include: Cutting Chai at the Sarjan Art Gallery, Baroda, 2009; Sky
Keepers' Diaries at the Museum gallery, Mumbai, 2008; 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 and Lagetee, Fine Arts Company Gallery, Mumbai, 1999. 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.
AJAYAKUMAR (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. Ajayakumar
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. Ajayakumar has also
participated in several group exhibitions in the country and abroad since 1983.
In 2006, Ajayakumar 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. Ajayakumar 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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