"Incisive Instincts"

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. 39^th Street, New York, NY, 10016. Contact us by calling (212) 990-9000 or emailing  info@tamarindart.com

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