SURENDRA PAL JOSHI

presents

a solo show by

Curated by Uma Nair

11 - 14 March, 2013

Visual Arts Gallery,India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003

11.00 am - 8.00 pm

SURENDRA PAL JOSHI

ABSTRACTION’S DEFINITIVE DOMAINSSURENDRA PAL JOSHI Tana Bana-II

This is based on the famous couplet of Kabir, I tried to play with the same symbolism.He lifted the ordinary artisan to higher realms. The idea of spaces and the weave of the materiality into the shades of rhythm is what I wanted to create.The simplicity of Kabir and the depth of that feeling is vanishing. I wanted to reflect upon those thoughts.

Surendra Pal Joshi to Uma NairOn a larger scale we can look at Surendra’s installation that he creates with unusual materials like stainless steel and garware film. This heady harmony also serves as a reminder of the powerful punch that you can create when you decide to reload the canon of creativity and think at a tangential trajectory. Together, many of the works in this exhibition seems to beg the questions: Despite abstract painting’s inherent ambiguity, can its most capable practitioners manipulate its techniques or language consciously enough to at least control its emotional temperature or, at most, to convey certain subject-specific messages? Do they even want to?Such questions may simmer in the background of Surendra’s development in this installation. This work, with its broad, transparent muscularity, reminds you of a perfectly balanced composition, even at its most off-kilter, there are thickets of dense colour intonations alternating between darting, grass-like lines and luscious zones of delicate color, contributed in definitive ways to just how expansive and expressive abstract intonations in an installation could be.

HeritageHeritage a large sculpture in fibre glass with gold and silver leaf and colouris one of Surendra’s signature works, with its tumble of thick or wiry, idea of a circular ring with a hole surging in a pack emphatically.“ I took the idea from the copper coin that used to be part of Indian currency many years ago,”says Surendra. What did he want to say with this work? He suggests an answer, noting that the artist once said that the world seems to have “lost some of its ‘spirituality,’” and that he had recognized that, although “spirituality” had come to be “considered a ‘holy’ word…it was what painting had once been about.” Alluding to the deep understanding he possessed of her materials and techniques, the famously feisty painter seemed to hint that something about the visual language he had created could be finely tuned and played like the instruments that produced the classical music he loves.Surendra distills things. “My paintings become vessels for what interests me, including literature, poetry and the history of painting, but they also have an outward trajectory, because with them I’m trying to replicate the experiences I’ve had looking at paintings that have had an effect on me.” Surendra says: “The visual aspects of the world have a huge impact on me—patterns, relationships, stunning moments.” In his art, he says, he “processes” all of that visual information to offer. We are left with something that is rare, unfiltered and unspecified.This show is about the perceived visual heft or presence of a deepened reflection -in-progress, we can better enjoy the creative process that then unfolds. Surendra does not consciously try to control what his paintings might communicate, but he invites to be part of a resonant reverie.

Uma Nair

“What is it about this kind of art that speaks to so many people?” I ask Surendra Pal Joshi.He thinks and ponders for sometime and then says. “Maybe it’s because there is not just one language in it,but a sense of formlessness in space.” If one of his paintings suggests a meaning, he adds, perhaps “it’s something that comes and goes, even though it may [seem to] have a formal, concrete presence., like that of the little brass coin that used to be part of Indian currency so many years ago.” If anything, he muses, his kind of painting “is about a journey [through] the act of making it and even before it was made, which you get to go on if you’re looking” at it, too, so the act of creating an abstraction is more than a mere activity of subtle gestures, freedom and physicality.Perhaps in many ways the things that we cluttered urbanites do not have have in our modern lives.Following Surendra Pal Joshi’s works over many years gives one a sense of joy about the creative freedom that making abstract art allows and about the uncertainties that come with the territories in this terrain and domain. In a contemporary art world in which most artists are figurative and very few are good abstractionists there are many questions that come to the mind—how does an artist make a good abstract work ?He makes grid like compositions into which he sometimes blends simple, abstracted punctuated elements. But he also weaves into a rare reassessingof basic elements like colour, composition, and balance, based on the principle of exploring an uncharted territory of seasonal shifts and responses over time periods. Here is an artist who is looking for unexpected outcome rather than handsome result.

Look at any of these acrylics-squares that inhabit the mosaic of one’s memory-it alludes to a single question-what is it about the expressive power of abstract art—especially abstract painting, whose ambiguity of meaning is one of its most definitive characteristics—that remains so alluring? At New York last year The Museum of Modern Art’s Abstract Expressionist exhibition offered a variety of vivid reminders of how compellingly mysterious, psychologically intense, emotionally moving, and spiritually transcendent many of the seminal works of American Abstractionists could be and be still felt, more than a half-century after they were made and first seen.Abstraction is more than just the application of colour on canvas-it seems clear that there are deeper vibrations and feelings within.Indeed a studied, passive-sensitive incompleteness/ambiguity to much of the most interesting abstract work that painters are making today. But you also know and understand that the subversion of closure/open endedness isn’t the only priority. Surendra says that he also harbours a broader concern with multiple forms of imperfections/suggestions: not merely what is unfinished but also the tangential, the overtly off hand, the not-quite-linear or the continuous in series but the out of the box tenor.

The idea is to cast aside the neat but rigid fundamentals learned in art school and embrace everything that seems to lend itself to visual intrigue—including failure. The artist then takes an approach that refers not just to earlier art historical styles, but back to the process of painting itself. We get then a new flavor and a fervor of playful/thoughtful,and deeply unpredictable encounters.

My City72" x 84"Acrylic on Canvas

Glory96" x 96"

Acrylic on Canvas

Basant-III60" x 60"Acrylic on Canvas

White Linen48" x 48"

Acrylic on canvas

Basant-IV60" x 60"Acrylic on Canvas

Red Nature-II48" x 48"

Mixed media on Canvas

Symphonies of Memory-II 48" x 48"Acrylic on Canvas

Black Nature48" x 48"

Acrylic on Canvas

Blue Nature45" x 45"Acrylic on Canvas

Untitled48" x 48"

Acrylic on Canvas

Green House36" x 36"Acrylic on Canvas

Gray Nature36" x 60"

Acrylic on Canvas

Black Nature54" x 78"Acrylic on Canvas

Untitled12" x 13"

Mixed media on paper

Untitled7.5" x 6.5"

Pastel, Pen & Ink on paper

Untitled7" x 6.5"

Pastel, Pen & Ink on paper

Untitled7.5" x 6.5"

Pastel, Pen & Ink on paper

Taanaa Baanaa-II96" Dia x 54.5"

Drawing on stainless steel & garware film with light

Detail

Heritage60" DiaPaint on fibre glass with gold & silver leaf

Installation36" x 24" x 8"Jute & acrylic sheet

Genesis-I (Installation)48" x 48" x 13.5"

Fibre glass, thread & nails

Surendra Pal Joshi (b. 1958)

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS1985 B.F.A from Arts & Crafts college, Lucknow

SOLO EXHIBITIONS2012 London,Sponsored by ICCR, New Delhi.2009 ICA Gallery, Jaipur.2009 Jehangir Art Gallery, sponsored by Tao Art Foundation, Mumbai.2007 Central Lalit Kala Akademi, Sponsored by Nvya Art Galleria, New Delhi. 2006 International Heritage Festival, Sponsored by TaBlu Art Gallery, Clarks Amer Hotel, Jaipur.2005 In aid of Tsunami Victims, Sponsored by Dainik Bhaskar & Rambagh Palace Hotel, Jaipur.2004 International Festival Virasat, Rajputana Sheraton, Jaipur.1994, 99, 2003 Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai.1997, 2000 Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai.1999 Academy of fine art & Literature, New Delhi.1999 Invited Painting, Exhibition & Mural Workshop, Art Folio, Chandigarh.1997 ABC Academy Varanasi, U.P.1997 Rhonda, Wales (U.K.)1997 Berllanderi, (Cardiff) U.K.

1994 Invited Painting Exhibition, U.P. State Lalit Kala Akademi Lucknow.1994 Shridharani Art Gallery, New Delhi.1989 Delhi Shilpi Chakra, New Delhi.1988 Rajasthan State Lalit Kala Akademi, Jaipur.1984 U.P. State Lalit Kala Akademi, Lucknow.

CAMPS2011 All India Painter’s Camp “UTTRAYAN” in Baroda.2011 All India Painter’s Camp in Srinagar (Kashmir). 2011 All India Painter’s Camp in Gwalior. 2011 Painter’s Camp in Myanmar organized by Point of View Gallery.2011 Painter’s Camp in Shimla organized by Tellus Art Gallery.2011 Painter’s Camp in Tansen Kala Vithika, Gwalior.2010 Curated an International Artist Workshop organized by Bhoruka Charitable Trust, Jaipur.2009 All India Painters’ Camp at Le Meridian, Jaipur organized by Art Chill Gallery, Jaipur.2008 All India Painters’ Camp, Jaipur organized by Neerja Modi School,Jaipur2008 Painters’ camp, Hong Kong, organized by Camlin Art Foundation.2008 Painters’ camp, Russia.2008 Painters’ camp, Dubai Organized by Bhoruka Charitable Trust, Jaipur.2007 All India Painters’ Camp Organized by Art Indus, Mysore.2007 All India Painters’ Camp Organized by T.G.V Group, Lakshadweep.2007 All India Painters’ Camp Organized by Rai Foundation, Jim Corbett Park 2007 All India Painters’ Camp Organized by Samanvai Art Gallery, Goa.2007 Coordinated the All India Painters’ Camp sponsored by B.C.T at I.H.M.R, Jaipur2007 All India Painters’ Camp in Bangkok, Thailand.2006 All India Painters’ Camp organized Mr. Charan Sharma, Udaipur.2005 All India Painter’s Camp, organized by Juneja Art Gallery, Jaipur.2005 Directed a Mural Workshop at M.G.D. School, Organized by RAJASTHAN PATRIKA, Jaipur.1999 All India Painter’s Camp, organized by Surajkund Authority.1999 Directed a Mural Workshop at Art Folio, Chandigarh.1994 Print Making Camp organized U.P. Lalit Kala Akademi, Lucknow.1993 All India Painter’s Camp, organized by Hastakshar, Jaipur.1992 All India Painter’s Camp, organized by R.L.K.A. at Jaisalmer.1992 Painter’s Camp, organized by R.L.K.A. at Sarnath, Varanasi.

AWARDS/HONOURS2005 Honoured by the College Education, Rajasthan Govt. 2004 National Award, Kendriya Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.2004 All India Award, U.P. Lalit Kala Akademi.2001 All India Award, Tilak Smarak Trust, Pune.2000 Gold Medal UNESCO, Repalli.1997 Fellowship for Mural Design by the British Arts Council & Charles Wallace Trust Wales, In Cardiff U.K.1994 All India Award, Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi.1992 Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi Award.1991 All India Award, South Central Cultural Zone, Nagpur.1990 Asian Cultural Centre for UNESCO, Japan.1986 – 88 Scholarship of U.P. State Lalit Kala Academy, Lucknow.1980 – 85 Merit Scholarship to College of Art, Lucknow.

MURAL DESIGN2012 Executed commissioned work for Leela Hotel at Chennai & Goa.2012 Executed an Installation at Jaipur International Airport.2005 Designed & Executed Mosaic Mural on J.N.T.U. College of Fine Art, Hyderabad.2000 Designed & Executed Mosaic Mural at Hindustan Lever, Head Office, Church Gate, Mumbai.1999 Glass Tile Mural for Shipping Corporation of India on “Swaraj” Ship, Vishakhapattanam, A.P.1998 Two Mosaic Mural in St. Anselm’s School, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur.1997 Large Wooden Mural on Indian Oil Corporation’s Head Office in Yusuf Sarai, New Delhi.1997 Mosaic Mural on Cambridge Secondary School with Pioneers, Cardiff,

1997 Mosaic Mural on Greenfield Secondary School with Pioneers, Cardiff, U.K.1994 I.I.H.M.R. (665 Sq. ft. Area), Sanganer, Jaipur.1991 Rajasthan pavilion in I.I.T.F., New Delhi.1989 Adult Education, New Delhi.

PARTICIPATIONS2012 Beijing Biennale,China.2012 United Art Fair, New Delhi.2011 Group Show by Kalaneri Art Gallery, Jaipur.2011 Master’s Corner Group Show in Mumbai Art Fair, Mumbai.2011 Contemporary Art Exhibition at Jaipur & Seoul (South Korea).2011 Wales Rajasthan Exchange Exhibition by British Council, New Delhi.2010 Group Show by Bougainvillea Art Gallery, Ivory Coast, Africa. 2010 Group Show by ICA Gallery, Jaipur.2010 Group Show by Point of View Art Gallery, Mumbai.2009 Bougainvillea Gallery, Udaipur.2009 Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai.2008 Group show, Grand Hyatt, Dubai, Organized by Art Select.2008 Group show Leonardo Hotel, London, Organized by Art Select.2008 Group show Passage Art Gallery, New Delhi. 2008 Directed a Art symposium at Dubai, organized by B.C.T., Jaipur.2008 Group Show, Palo Alto, California, USA organized by Aicon Gallery.2007 Three Men show, London. Curated by Ms. Uma Nair. 2007 25 Contemporary Indian Artist, organized by Russian Academy of Arts At the Zurab Tsereteli art gallery, Moscow, Curated by Ravi Kumar,Paris2007 Group Show by Apparao Gallery, New Delhi.2006 Indo-German Residency in Berlin, curated by Ms. Sushma Bahl.2005 Contemporary Art Exhibition in Rangoon, Myanmar organized by Central Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.2005 XI th TRIENNALE-INDIA, Organized by Central Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.2004 Harmony Show, Sponsored by Reliance Pvt. Ltd., Nehru Centre, Mumbai.2004, 01,96,94,93 National Exhibition, Organized by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. 92, 91, 90 & 1984 2003 ‘Performative Textures’ Exhibition organized by India Habitat Centre & Apparao Gallery, New Delhi.2002 Indian Art Exhibition, Germany.1989 International Biennial of Prints Bharat Bhawan, Bhopal.1985 India Festival of India (U.S.A.).

• Study travels in U.K., France, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, USSR, Dubai, Thailand, China,Hong Kong and Myanmar.• From 1988 – 2008, Assistant Professor in the Fine Art Faculty, Rajasthan School of Art, Jaipur.• At Present: Advisor Art & Culture, Bhorukha Charitable Trust, Jaipur, India

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