Awdhesh Bajpai

Awdhesh Bajpai, born in 1965, discovered his passion
for art at the tender age of four. His artistic journey began with
simple tools, using colors derived from natural materials like
clay, charcoal, trees, and leaves. Growing up in a village
intersected by a highway, Bajpai adorned the roadside with his
paintings, extending his creativity for miles. His childhood was
marked by crafting clay idols and designing curtains and sets
for Ramlila theatre productions.
By the time he reached higher secondary school, Bajpai
had started creating mythological paintings for books,
showcasing his burgeoning talent. He pursued formal education
in art, earning a bachelor's degree in fine arts with a
specialization in painting from Kalaniketan, Jabalpur, in 1989.
His artistic endeavors expanded during this period, experimenting with various mediums such
as ceramics, fiberglass, wood, cement, and terracotta. Bajpai's versatility extended to art
editing for literary magazines and art direction for theatre.
His art practice spanned notable cultural hubs like Shantiniketan, Mumbai, Delhi, and
Bhopal (Bharat Bhawan), where he continued to refine his skills in sculpture, pottery, and
murals. Bajpai is renowned for his dynamic exploration of contemporary crises through his art,
making significant contributions to the Indian art scene with his innovative and thought-
provoking works. Awdhesh draws profound inspiration from literature, news media, mythology,
philosophy, popular culture, and art history, which he seamlessly integrates into his
exploration of contemporary crises. His work is notable for its use of images from the
subconscious and real-world scenarios, reflecting his deep interest in emotional, psychological,
and social structures.
Over three decades, Bajpai's artistic evolution has seen significant shifts in style,
subject matter, composition, and color application. He articulates his vision through a
narrative of the subconscious and the infinite, aiming to sensitize human consciousness.
Bajpai's paintings, characterized by their fluid and ever-changing forms, invite viewers to
engage with an infinite and mysterious universe.
Bajpai's artistic journey is marked by notable solo exhibitions at prestigious venues
such as the Museum Art Gallery in Jabalpur in 2018, Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal in 2013,
Gallery Art n Soul in Mumbai in 2011, Rendez Vous Art Gallery in Bhopal in 2009, The
Alliance Française in Bhopal in 2004, and M.P. Kalaparisad in Bhopal in 2003. His earlier solo
exhibitions include Gandhi Bhavan in Kannur, Kerala, in 1996, a dual show at Jehangir Art
Gallery in Mumbai in 1989, and Patrakar Bhavan in Bhopal in 1986.
Bajpai's group exhibitions further underscore his dynamic presence in the art world. He
participated in the Indian Art Festival in Mumbai in 2018 and showcased his works at the Lalit
Kala Academy in New Delhi in 2015. His art has been featured at the Shanta Art Gallery in
New Delhi in 2013, Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal in 2012, Gallery Pritam Lal in Indore in 2011,
and Gallery Art n Soul in Mumbai in 2009. Other significant group exhibitions include the M.P.
Kalaparisad in Bhopal in 2009, Dhoomimal Art Gallery in New Delhi in 2008, Aicon Gallery in
California, USA, in 2008, Gallery Akar Prakar in Kolkata in 2007, Rangayan Art Gallery in
Bhopal in 2007, and multiple exhibitions at Bharat Bhavan and Madhya Pradesh Kala Parisad
in Bhopal between 2004 and 2006.

Bajpai has also contributed to public art through significant murals at the Homi
Bhabha Centre for Science Education in Mumbai and the new district high court building in
Jabalpur. His works are part of various private collections in India and abroad, underscoring
his impact on the contemporary art scene.
Artist Statement:
I am deeply interested in how life was created millions of years ago. Therefore one can
perceive Science, History, Poetry and Language conspicuously in my paintings. I have worked
on almost all mediums of Art; and it is difficult to discuss them all in this short profile. Hence I
have dealt with my works made in the last ten years.
My paintings have a vast range like nature. They do not have a centre of focus. In fact
wherever you see becomes the focus. It is similar to concentrating at any place on earth where
one can perceive a number of things. One cannot look at these paintings from far; neither can
you look at them with a sudden blow. One has to go close to these paintings, just like the skin
one has to come very close to the surface of the painting. My paintings demand pace of
inhaling the air, just opposite to the mechanical fast motion of the world. The main element of
these paintings is the mathematical coordination of 3D dots, lines and shapes. These paintings
are drawn in a universal style. These begin with a dot and end too in a dot. The flying aero
plane is a wonderful example of this. However my dots are not 2D, they are 3D. In this
way, these dots change from worldly matter to natural structures; and one feels that they
perceive them for the first time.
These paintings are based on the understanding that the visible outer world is full, the
invisible inner world is also full, from one fullness comes the other fullness. We can't take away
fullness from fullness, Fullness indeed always remains.
Indians often use a sentence in their conversation that 'God is there in every particle '
this implies that everything, every object, every action and reaction is important. These actions
and reactions flow and spread on the canvas. I demand entirety in every stroke and feel it too.
Each particle is complete in itself or each particle has the creative expanse of time.
The practice of originality in viewing or adding originality to every visual phenomenon or
object entwines music and painting. In these paintings one can observe plenty of figures which
are in the subconscious as visual creations. These infinite figure are not visible to the naked
eyes - these paintings also have algorithm. I have developed this language of painting in thirty
years through my experience. One can't look at these paintings entirely, something will be left;
and it is the aesthetic quality of a visual when something remains from being perceived. These
three dimensional dots creates a real Indian elegance. These dots are like balloons which exist
in thousands of shapes and contours.
My paintings are influenced by all subjects and all mediums of expression. These
paintings depict the details of those thousands of shapes which we have experienced or
imagined. It is a set of experiences and visuals.
I like the infinite endeavors in my paintings. I try to expand every particle to its
maximum, and see in how many forms the original panorama of life can be deciphered. The
nature is divided into vast and subtle. The vast is becoming more vast, and the subtle is
becoming more subtle - the enumeration is ceaseless. The world and creation is endless.
Neither this nor that.

Education:
B.F.A Fine Arts 1989 from Jabalpur (MP)
Worked in Shantiniketan (Kolkatta) 1992-94 (Self-study)

Solo Exhibitions:
2018Jabalpur, Museum art Gallery
2013Bhopal, Bharat Bhavan Bhopal (organized by Bharat Bhavan)
2011Mumbai, Gallery art n soul
2009Bhopal, Rendez vous art Gallery
2004The Alliance française, Bhopal
2003Bhopal, M.P. Kalaparisad
1996Kannur (Kerala) Gandhi Bhavan
1989Mumbai, Jehangir Art Gallery (Dual show)
1986Bhopal, Patrakar Bhavan
Group Exhibitions
2018Mumbai, Indian Art Festival
2015New Delhi, Lalit Kala Academy
2013New Delhi, Shanta Art Gallery
2012Bhopal, Bharat Bhavan
2011Indore, Gallery Pritam lal
2009Mumbai, Gallery art n soul
2009Bhopal, M.P. Kalaparisad
2008New Delhi, Dhoomimal art Gallery
2008Aicon Gallery ,California ( U.S.A)
2007Kolkata, Gallery Akar Prakar
2007Bhopal, Rangayan art Gallery
2006Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Kala Parisad
2006Bhopal, Bharat Bhavan
2004Bhopal, Bharat Bhavan


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