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Manu Parekh
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Born in 1939 in Gujarat, Manu Parekh completed a Diploma in Drawing and Painting from the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, in 1962. Parekh’s early work explored the relationships between man and nature, as according to him, this was an energetic link that had to be celebrated. The artist also points out that, since then, contradictions have formed the basis of his artistic practice, no matter the subject or genre of his works....
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Born in 1939 in Gujarat, Manu Parekh completed a Diploma in Drawing and Painting from the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, in 1962. Parekh’s early work explored the relationships between man and nature, as according to him, this was an energetic link that had to be celebrated. The artist also points out that, since then, contradictions have formed the basis of his artistic practice, no matter the subject or genre of his works.
Polemics have always intrigued Manu Parekh – the energy of the organic form and the inherent sexuality within these forms are intangible elements in his works. His paintings provoke viewers to take notice of the world around them through the emotion, pain and anguish expressed in the subjects of his paintings. His colors and forms exude a volatile energy that can barely be contained within the confines of his canvas, and become an extension of the artist's personality.
Vivid colours and prominent lines are an integral part of Parekh’s work and each exudes the energy that he attempts to capture. Parekh admits to being very strongly influenced by his surroundings. His stay in the city of Calcutta, for instance, drew him towards Santiniketan and the old masters of Indian art, Ram Kinkar Baij and Rabindranath Tagore. His appreciation of their work, more at a perceptual level than stylistic one, urged him to delve deeper into the thoughts that inform his own ouevre.
Banaras as a city came to play an integral role in Parekh’s work after his first visit there following his father’s death. This holy city of hope, of faith, of tourists offered him a vast number of contradictions in one location. Parekh also highlights his relationship with his wife Madhvi, who is a self taught artist, and his admiration for Picasso as key influences on his works.
Parekh held his first solo exhibition of graphics and paintings in Ahmedabad in 1968, and has not looked back since. His most recent solo shows have included ‘Banaras – Eternity Watches Time’ presented by Saffronart and Berkeley Square Gallery, London, at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2007; 'Banaras' at Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2004; 'Portraits of Flower and Landscapes of River' at Jehangir Art Gallery and Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2003; 'Ritual Oblations' at Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, Sakshi Gallery, Bangalore, and Sakshi Gallery and Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 1999; and 'Small Drawings' at Sophia Duchesne Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 1991. Parekh has also had solo shows at BosePacia Modern in New York and at ARKS Gallery in London.
Parekh was awarded the President of India's Silver Plaque and the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society Award, New Delhi, in 1972; the National Award from the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, in 1982; and the Padma Shree from the Government of India in 1992.
The artist lives and works in New Delhi.
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Born
1939
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Education
1958-62 Diploma in Drawing & Painting, Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai1951 Student of Mukund Shroff, Ahemadabad
Exhibitions
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2014-15 'City of Magical Light',...
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2014-15 'City of Magical Light', Jehangir Art Gallery and Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai2012 'Faith: Manu Parekh in Benaras: 1980-2012', Art Alive Gallery, Gurgaon
2009 'The Pursuit of Intensity', Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai 2004 'Banaras', Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi 2003 'Portraits of Flower and Landscapes of River', at Jehangir Art Gallery and Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai 1999 'Ritual Oblations', Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi 1999 'People for Animals', Art World, Chennai 1999 'People for Animals', Alliance Francois, Chandigarh 1999 'Ritual Oblations', Sakshi Gallery, Bangalore 1999 'Ritual Oblations', Sakshi Gallery and Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 1998 'Homage', Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata 1997 ARKS Gallery, London 1996 BosePacia Modern, New York 1995-96 'Still Lifes', sponsored by Seagull Foundation, Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai 1994 Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi 1992 Exhibition of Twenty-Five Years of Work sponsored by Seagull Foundation, New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai 1991 'Small Drawings', Sophia Duchesne Art Gallery, Mumbai 1991 'Banaras Landscapes', Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi 1990 'Small Drawings', Village Gallery, New Delhi 1990 'Man-Made Blindings (Bhagalpur Blindings)', Cymroza Gallery, Mumbai 1989 Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 1988 Paintings, Chitrakoot Art Gallery, Kolkata 1988 Paintings, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi 1985 Paintings, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi 1984 Ten Years of Work, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata 1984 Paintings and Watercolours, Urja Art Gallery, Baroda 1981 Paintings, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi 1978 Paintings, Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai 1976 Paintings, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi 1975 Paintings, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi 1974 Paintings, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi 1970 Paintings, Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai 1968 Graphics and Paintings, Ahmedabad
Selected Group Exhibitions
2012 'On A Journey', Art Alive Gallery, Gurgaon2011 'The Lost Sparrow', presented by Gallery Threshold at Visual Art Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi2011 'Form and Formlessness', Art Alive Gallery, Gurgaon 2011 'Aureus 2011', Gallerie Nvya, New Delhi2010 '10 x 10', Gallery Threshold, New Delhi 2010 'Who Has Seen Gandhi?', presented by Tangerine Art Space at Raj Bhavan; KynKyny Art Gallery and Tangerine Art Space, Bangalore 2010 'Evolve: 10th Anniversary Show', Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai 2010 'Snow', The Palette Art Gallery, New Delhi in collaboration with Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai 2009 'Zip Files', Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai 2008 'Faces', Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai 2008 'Urgent Conversations', Visual Art Gallery, India Habitat Centre and Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi 2004 Nature Morte, New Delhi 2004 Rituals at Gallery Sumukha, Bangalore 2003 'Celebration of Colours', Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, and Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 2002 'The Affordable Art Show', People for Animals, Maurya Sheraton, New Delhi 2001 Eight Artists from Bengal, Indian Embassy, Berlin 2001 'Works on Paper', Bose Pacia Modern, New York 2000 'Faces', Gallery Espace, Dubai 1999 'Icons', Lakeeren Gallery. Mumbai 1999 'As You Like It', Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, and Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 1998 Opening Show, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai 1997 'Colours of Independence', organized by Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata at National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi 1997 'Fifty Years of Independence', by National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi at Vadehra Art Gallery, Mumbai 1997 'Through the Looking Glass', Lakeeren Gallery, Mumbai 1997 'Gift for India', Sahmat, New Delhi and Mumbai 1997 'Major Trends of Indian Ar't, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi 1997 'Intuitive Logic', HEART, New Delhi and Mumbai 1997 'Kali', exhibition in Topical Museum, Amsterdam 1996 Contemporary Indian Painters associated with Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 1995 'Heads', Maya Art Gallery, Hong Kong 1995 Postcards for Gandhi, Sahmat 1993 'Wounds', Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata and National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi 1993 Vadehra Art Gallery at Husain Ki Sarai, New Delhi 1993 Opening Show, Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata 1982 Seven Indian Artists, Travelling Exhibition in Worpswede, Hamburg, Hanover, Brauschweig, Bayeuth 1982 Modern Indian Painting, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Hirschom Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC 1964-85 Thirty group shows ir India and abroad
Participations2014 'Ode to Monumental: Celebration, Visuality, Ideology', presented by Saffronart at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi and Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 2012 'Art for Humanity', Coomaraswamy Hall, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumb2011 'Ethos V: Indian Art Through the Lens of History (1900 to 1980), Indigo Blue Art, Singapore
2011 '1:3:1- Part I', W+K Exp, New Delhi2010 Annual Exhibition, Chawla Art Gallery, New Delhi 1981 5th International Triennale, Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi 1978 4th International Triennale, Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi 1975 3rd International Triennale, Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi
Honours and Awards
1992 Padma Shree by the Government of India 1991 Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Calcutta 1982 National Award, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi 1974 All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society Award, Mew Delhi 1972 President of India's Silver Plaque, All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society Award, New Delhi 1971 Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Calcutta
1992 Padma Shree by the Government of India 1991 Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Calcutta 1982 National Award, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi 1974 All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society Award, Mew Delhi 1972 President of India's Silver Plaque, All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society Award, New Delhi 1971 Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Calcutta
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Q.The imagery in your work tends to signal animation and has a restlessness about it. What is the source of this?
My work is a reflection of my personality - I, as a human being have an energy that comes out in my work. I paint different subjects and have seemingly different styles, however the central theme is that of the importance of organic life: the human being and his interaction with nature. I believe that...
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Read More
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Q.The imagery in your work tends to signal animation and has a restlessness about it. What is the source of this?
My work is a reflection of my personality - I, as a human being have an energy that comes out in my work. I paint different subjects and have seemingly different styles, however the central theme is that of the importance of organic life: the human being and his interaction with nature. I believe that organic elements of nature have a powerful energy. For example, the flower - it's origin, appearance and growth. I believe that the flower is one of the most impressive forms in nature. It is organic in nature but has seemingly contradictory forces inherent within it: sexuality and spirituality.
Q.Your work contains such diverse subjects - is it this contradiction in forces or elements of nature which you feel are central to your work or binds it together?
This contradiction is the source of my inspiration. I believe that human nature, actions and reactions are a cycle of faith, belief and fear. Human beings perceive a situation or make judgements based on an initial faith, or preconceived notion. They then react to the situation based on a belief or out of fear.I believe that the most powerful contradictory forces are sexuality and spirituality, because there is a convergence between them at some point. Sexuality in the larger sense is about finding a rhythm with another human being. This is incredibly powerful because it is about two human beings and two separate manifestations of organic energy. When we are able to create this rhythm and are satisfied, content or happy within that rhythm, we are able to become more spiritual beings. Perhaps I place such importance on this because of my positive relationship with Madhvi, my wife.
Q.Are there any physical sources of inspiration that manifest themselves within your work?
I use theater language to create. Like a stage, the characters take a few seconds to appear when the curtain rises. This is the experience that I try to create for someone looking at my work. You should take a few moments to realize the situation and the energy or contradictory forces reflected. The presence of organic energy is essential - like when the actors leave the stage, they take the aura of the energy away with them. I work like an actor: I remain the same actor, but perform and create situations within a different role. This is why I feel that eyes are one of the most important elements in my work. The eyes perceive….I don't paint faces - I paint situations and eyes perceive situations or expressions. The Dalai Lama is one of the best examples that I can think of - his eyes are very expressive and say more than his physical facial expressions.
Q.Would you describe your works as being distortionist?
No. I don't feel that I distort - I communicate with layers. Layers represent complexity and capture contradictory forces in a way that I feel makes my representations of life richer. That's what life is …layers.
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Sunset at Benares
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Untitled
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Untitled
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Banaras in Moonlight
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Banaras in Yellow
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Banaras in Lemon
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