Born in 1977
Gethsemane Series
Gethsemane is a place in Palestine, famous as the place where Jesus Christ wept tears of blood pleading with God almighty that he be relieved of the Cross of Calvary. Inspired by this specific visual which to me looked like the ultimate sacrifice I explored on what it would mean to sacrifice. As a matter of theme I didn’t explore on any formulae but relied on chance and imagination , like a Jazz performance with the essence of Gethsemane or rather an ultimate sacrifice in mind being played in different waves. Indeed some element of Christain Iconography have infused here along with elements of Naga Animistic Symbols. I treated the experience as a clock work machine with puppets also.
Kikimiyeh – LOVE Series
Kikimiyeh means (in Sema Naga- a dialect from Nagaland.) LOVE ! Kikimiyeh is a composite term unlike for instance Agape or eros. When I started painting this series I didn’t (as obvious) have an single specific image in mind and yet as I reflected on past acquaintance and experience – pieces of this expression slowly fleshed in to built these works. A lot of inspiration came from traditional folklore and yet only essence of it I have recorded and this is because I wanted the works to speak a universal language
EDUCATION
2012 M.Phil. (Visual Arts), School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU, New Delhi
2000, 2004 Master of Arts (Mass Comm), MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
1997, 2000 Bachelor of Arts (Int), St Stephens College, Delhi University
EXPERIENCE
2010 – 2012 | Art Consultant / Artist / Art Fellow
Vasant Valley School, Vasant Kunj | New Delhi
Teach puppetry
Art research fellowship on traditional arts / puppetry awarded by Ministry of Culture, India
Research on Naga art and culture/ shawl painting tradition continued
Exhibited paintings, sculpture and puppets in Delhi, Jaipur, Singapore.
2009 March – 2010 April | Lalit Kala Akademi Scholar / Artist
Lalit Kala Regional Studio, East of Kailash| New Delhi
Practiced painting and sculpture including research on folk painting traditions.
Exhibited paintings and sculptures
Attended national workshops on art and culture
2008 – 2009 | Art Consultant - Puppetry, Naga Arts / Artist
Asian Heritage Foundation | South Extension II, New Delhi.
Documentation and research on traditional arts of India
Design consultancy
Research on Naga art and cultures / shawl painting tradition
2007 March – 2008 April | Part-time Teacher / Artist
Vasant Valley School, Vasant Kunj | New Delhi
Taught Video production and puppetry
Exhibited Paintings and sculptures
Attended national workshops on art and culture
2005 – 2007 | Freelance Journalist / Artist
Nagaland Post, Morung Express | Dimapur & Delhi
Attended national workshops and festivals on arts and crafts
Conducted workshops on puppetry
Research on Naga art and cultures/ shawl painting tradition
2004 April – 2005 April | Production Assistant / Puppeteer
NDTV Greater Kailash 1 | New Delhi.
Managed a team of artists and puppeteers to achieve goals of realizing mechanical muppets (puppets)
Involved in Video production at various capacities
Artistic consultancy for realizing puppets and scene
Involved in manipulating the puppets/puppet performance
ART EXHIBITIONS
Kohima|New Delhi|Dimapur|Singapore|Jaipur|Mumbai
2014 'Contemporary Figuration' Group show at Juneja Art Gallery.
2014 All India Exhibition at Jaipur Art Summit, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur
2013 'Confluence des Arts' a group show of 100 artists at Gallery Artchill, Amber Fort , Jaipur.
2012 Mending Fences, A group art exhibition, Art Gallery, Science Centre, Citylight, Surat
2012 Group show at Indigo Blue Gallery Singapore
2012 The Dramatics of Diverse Interpretation/perspectives, Hauz Khas Village
2011 Art Bull & Art Konsult Autumn Auction
2010 Art for the Museum III– A group Show at IHC, Lodhi road, New Delhi,.
2010 Drifting Still – A group Show at Art Konsult, Hauz Khas Village New Delhi,
2010 Akhyaan – Festival organized by Indira Gandhi Center for the Arts, (IGNCA)– exhibited puppets in the Contemporary section.
2010 National Art Festival organized by Lalit Kala Akademi at Aizawl, Mizoram,
2010 National Art Festival organized by Lalit Kala Akademi at Jamshedpur,
2009 National Art Festival organized by NCZZ at Allahabad,
Beyond the Morung – A group show at India habitat center Lodhi road, New Delhi
ARTIST/ ART FELLOWSHIPS AWARDS,
2012 Junior Artist Fellowship awarded by ministry of culture (puppetry)
2007 State Award in Painting, Awarded by Ministry of Art and Culture, Govnt of India and NEZCC,
2000 President of Fine Arts Society, St Stephens College,
2000 Silver Medal in Boxing (Lightweight Category) Delhi University,