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PRESS RELEASE
Exhibition of Contemporary Indian Art
An Exhibition of Contemporary Indian Art was inaugurated on November 10
evening at the Avenues Mall by H.E. Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of
India. The Exhibition features the works of four Indian artists - Charan
Sharma, Shail Choyal, Kalyan Joshi and Nidhi Jain. Ambassador Malhotra
stated that he was delighted to cooperate with the Alshaya Group to
showcase some examples of modern Indian art at the Avenues Mall. Charan
Sharma and Shail Choyal are well known contemporary Indian artists,
while Nidhi Jain is an up-and coming talent. Kalyan Joshi is a
traditional artist who seeks to reflect in his work the incredible
diversity and creativity found in Indian folk paintings, especially the
Phad paintings of Rajasthan. The Exhibition can be seen at the Avenues
Mall [near Dean & DeLuca] upto 13 November 2009. All are welcome.
Biodata of the artists is given below.
Charan Sharma
Born in Rajasthan in 1950, he obtained his M.A. in Drawing and Painting
from the University of Udaipur and studied Graphics at Sir J.J.School of
Arts, Bombay. Solo shows at Udaipur 1972, Jaipur 1972, Bombay 1978,
1979, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999,
2000; Singapore 1983-84, Delhi 1988. Participation: UOB Bank Exhibition,
Singapore 1982, Surya Gallery Hyderabad. 1998, Art Critic’s Choice at
N.G.M.A Mumbai., 1999, Contemporary Art of India’ Glenbarra-Japan 1991,
United Nations Women’s Guild, Vienna 1992, International Experimental
Art Exhibition, Budapest 1985, Yugoslavia 1986, Helpage India Auction
1993, Art for Hearts Sake auction by Save the Children India, conducted
by Bowrings in 2001 in Delhi. Has attended many camps: Painters Camp,
Udaipur 1972, Artists Terra Cota Camp at Molela, Rajasthan, 1984, All
India Painters Camp, Jaisalmer 1990 & 1994 All India Painters Camp-CCMB,
Hyderabad. Charan Sharma has won several awards: Rajasthan Lalit Kala
Academy Award for Graphic 1972, All India Inter collage Competition,
Gwalior 1973, Painting of the Year competition, by United Overseas Bank
Singapore 1983-84, Rajasthan Lalit Kala Academy Award, 1983-85,
Paintings of 7’x14’ Commissioned by Reserve Bank of India for IGDIR,
Mumbai 1987 & in 1997 the Maharana Mewar Foundation Award. He has
directed a film “Astha Ke Ascharaya” on Nathdwara in 1996 and he has
designed “The Thousand Moon” on J. Krishnamurthy also in 1996. His
paintings are represented in several pubic and private collections both
in India and abroad. He lives and works in Mumbai.
Shail Choyal
Shail Choyal was born on November 9, 1945, in Kota. Choyal studied
painting at Udaipur University and followed this with a Diploma from
Jaipur School of Art. He went on to London for studying graphics on a
sponsorship by British Council. A painter, printmaker and teacher, Shail
Choyal is known for a distinctive miniature style of his own through
which he has carved a niche for himself in the contemporary Indian art
scene. He infuses his works in the narrative idiom and also juxtaposes
the allegorical with the real. Exploiting the inherent aesthetic motifs
and the multi-tier division of space of Rajasthani traditional painting,
he has evolved a nostalgic art with an utmost modern sensibility.
Vibrant colors and surreal settings add mystery to his paintings. Among
honors and awards received by him are Gold Medal in Master's Degree in
Drawing and Painting (1969), Rajasthan Lalit Kala award for printmaking
(1969), and Bombay Art Society award for painting (1971). He lives and
works in Udaipur.
Ms Nidhi Jain
Nidhi Jain is based in Jabalpur (Madya Pradesh). Gold Medalist in
Masters of Fine Arts in painting from University of Khairagarh,
Chattisgarh, and has also done several short term courses from Manav
Sanket Academy, Ujjain. She also has skills in painting (all mediums),
sketching, cartoon drawing, illustration, paper craft, ceramics,
sculpting, and murals. Her Achievements include Raza Exhibition in
Gwaliar in 2008, Ghaziabad Exhibition in Ghaziabad in 2008, and UNFPA
Art for social charge award (National Painting Competition) 2008. She
won awards in National College Painting Competition in 2004, 2005, 2006
from Manav Sanket Academy, Ujjain, as well as won an award in the Tri
Coleman Painting Competition 2004. Notable Workshops attended and
Exhibitions conducted by Nidhi Jain include Printech Workshop at Bharat
Bhavan, Bhopal (2007, 2008); Artistry Workshop, Jabalpur (2006); Lalit
Kala Academy (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008); Partcipated in Youth Festival
(2003); and Group show Dayatva in Jabalpur.(2009)
Kalyan Joshi – traditional Phad paintings
The most famous paintings of Rajasthan are the Phad paintings -
beautiful specimen of the Indian cloth paintings originating from the
royal state of Rajasthan. Phad paintings have their own styles and
patterns and are very popular due to their vibrant colors and historic
themes. Phad paintings are colorful mosaics, depicting the valor of
local heroes like Goga Chauhan, Prithviraj Chauhan, Amar Singh Rathore,
Papuji, etc.. The unique beauty and themes of Phad paintings have made
them most sought after. Phad painting is an ancient form of folk
painting that is basically a large painting on Khadi cloth which depicts
the heroic deeds of a heroic figure, the daily life of painters and
peasants, rural life, animals and birds, flora and fauna. The smaller
version of the Phad is known as phadakye. This form of folk art makes
use of natural earthen colors mixed with gum, water and indigo to get
the required colors. These Phad paintings have been done by Kalyan
Joshi.
Kuwait
November 11, 2009
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