Deviprasad C Rao: India
An entirely self-taught artist, Deviprasad C Rao (fondly known as Devi) quit his job in PR & Marketing 20 years ago to embark on an artistic adventure. He escaped into a world of his own, a world where picture-making is paramount.
Rebelling against conformist ideas of composition and structure, Devi created a language of his own to articulate his world the way he sees it. Through constant doodling, drawing and sketching, he evolved his artistic idiom of form. Lines, dots, squiggles, amorphous shapes – Devi's creative vocabulary is filled with its syntax and grammar of forms. He communicates his language on paper, canvas, wire sculpture and even his own body. Devi draws outlines, pulling them across here, finishing them abruptly there, layering them with blotches and flecks. His canvases are sprayed and strewn with dots and daubs of paint. These forms are his characters, script and symbols. These are his alphabet.
Devi is interested in introspection and meditation coupled with his curiosity of Buddhism, which led to his "Buddha" series, currently named "Emptiness and Forms". This series is based on the message from the Heart Sutra where Buddha says, "Form is part of emptiness and emptiness is part of forms". Taking that clue, Devi creates little ambiguous forms floating or dancing in emptiness, yet with innumerable details and density within. He explores himself as a seeker of truth, awareness, and faith. His spiritual quest is mirrored in these abstract works where forms and emptiness form as one union. The inner world takes centre-stage that intuitively expresses tiny dense details all over the forms while he, himself, experiences the state of formless awareness.
Since his college days, the world of factories and machinery has become Devi's source of inspiration. The series "Industrial Fragments" is inspired by factories, machinery and industrial parks that he witnessed in various countries he visited. Devi was deeply impressed, especially by his visit to the industrial park called "Landschaftspark Nord" in Duisburg, Germany. Devi turns this moulding mount of machine parts into his own visual and colour world. A multi-layered structure filled with abstract filigree forms and minute structures.
Devi's art has taken many forms through the years and has found multiple modes of expression. As a live installation artist, Devi has delved deep into the self to explore or discover his true identity. There have been phases in which he focuses more on action painting and Pollock-like artistry but then returns to his meditative musings. There is no crazed distortion of form but a very controlled deliberate delineation even during his action painting. Devi rebels against convention and the banality of tradition, yes. But, he does fall back on fine detail, crosshatched strokes and a wealth of spare lines to render his potent eloquent works of art. Authenticity is key. Explore your intuition, find your spontaneity, live your art is the credo he lives by. Indeed, Devi's art is him, and he is – his art.
The above statement is partially based on the text written by "Samira Seth" - Curator and Art Journalist, India.
Rebelling against conformist ideas of composition and structure, Devi created a language of his own to articulate his world the way he sees it. Through constant doodling, drawing and sketching, he evolved his artistic idiom of form. Lines, dots, squiggles, amorphous shapes – Devi's creative vocabulary is filled with its syntax and grammar of forms. He communicates his language on paper, canvas, wire sculpture and even his own body. Devi draws outlines, pulling them across here, finishing them abruptly there, layering them with blotches and flecks. His canvases are sprayed and strewn with dots and daubs of paint. These forms are his characters, script and symbols. These are his alphabet.
Devi is interested in introspection and meditation coupled with his curiosity of Buddhism, which led to his "Buddha" series, currently named "Emptiness and Forms". This series is based on the message from the Heart Sutra where Buddha says, "Form is part of emptiness and emptiness is part of forms". Taking that clue, Devi creates little ambiguous forms floating or dancing in emptiness, yet with innumerable details and density within. He explores himself as a seeker of truth, awareness, and faith. His spiritual quest is mirrored in these abstract works where forms and emptiness form as one union. The inner world takes centre-stage that intuitively expresses tiny dense details all over the forms while he, himself, experiences the state of formless awareness.
Since his college days, the world of factories and machinery has become Devi's source of inspiration. The series "Industrial Fragments" is inspired by factories, machinery and industrial parks that he witnessed in various countries he visited. Devi was deeply impressed, especially by his visit to the industrial park called "Landschaftspark Nord" in Duisburg, Germany. Devi turns this moulding mount of machine parts into his own visual and colour world. A multi-layered structure filled with abstract filigree forms and minute structures.
Devi's art has taken many forms through the years and has found multiple modes of expression. As a live installation artist, Devi has delved deep into the self to explore or discover his true identity. There have been phases in which he focuses more on action painting and Pollock-like artistry but then returns to his meditative musings. There is no crazed distortion of form but a very controlled deliberate delineation even during his action painting. Devi rebels against convention and the banality of tradition, yes. But, he does fall back on fine detail, crosshatched strokes and a wealth of spare lines to render his potent eloquent works of art. Authenticity is key. Explore your intuition, find your spontaneity, live your art is the credo he lives by. Indeed, Devi's art is him, and he is – his art.
The above statement is partially based on the text written by "Samira Seth" - Curator and Art Journalist, India.
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FRONTOFBICYCLE EXHIBITIONS 2022
C.V - OPEN TO VIEW
Exhibitions
2020 - The jury selected group exhibition AEMTLER 2020, hosted by Art Commission of Charitable Society of Afoltern at Kasinosaal, Afoltern, Kanton Zurich, along with 20 other artists from the region. 2020 - Solo exhibition titled ‘INDUSTRIAL FRAGMENTS’ Dubendorf, Zürich, Switzerland 2019 - Solo exhibition MY JOURNEY TO PORTUGAL at Institute of Camoes, Lisbon, Portugal 2019 - Group exhibition and public art project of ‘EINHORN (UNICORN) to celebrate 100 years of City of Dübendorf, Zurich, Switzerland 2019 - Solo exhibition titled ‘INDUSTRIAL FRAGMENTS’ at Stallikon, Zürich, Switzerland 2017 - Solo exhibition titled ‘MY JOURNEY TO PORTUGAL’ presented by Consul General of Portugal in Goa and CARPE DIEM ART GALLERY - GOA at Majorada, GOA, India. (24th August to 13th September) 2017 - Solo exhibition titled ‘MY JOURNEY TO PORTUGAL’ presented by Consul General of Portugal in Goa and World Trade Centre, Mumbai at South Lounge, World Trade Centre, MUMBAI, India. (5th August to 9th August) 2017 - Solo exhibition titled ‘MY JOURNEY TO PORTUGAL - PRELUDE’ of watercolour on paper miniature paintings presented by Portuguese Embassy’s Cultural Centre in New Delhi in association with India International Centre at Indian International Centre Annex, NEW DELHI, India. The exhibition was inaugurated by the H.E. Ambassador of Portugal in India, Dr Joao Da Camara. (19th July to 26th July) 2017 - Group Exhibition with noted Indian artists including Late M.F.Husein in ABU DHABI (UAE) titled INDIAN KALEIDOSCOPE presented by Gallery Orchid, Mangalore. 2016 - Solo exhibition PRATIYAAN (Returning to the source) depicting the last ten years of works from Beyond Barcelona series to Lisbon Calling Series, curated by William Pais at Gallery Orchid, Mangalore, India. 2016 - Solo exhibition LISBON CALLING, showcasing Den-City series of works based on city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, presented and hosted by Rui Baceira, Consul General of Portugal in Goa at Marquinez Palace, Panaji, Goa, India. 2014 -15 Solo exhibition ‚LISBON IMPACT‘ at FUNDAÇÃO ORIENTE MUSEU (The Oriente Museum), 210 displayed works (paintings, drawings, alternative photography and a video installation) based on the city of Lisbon, curated by Sofia Muller e Sousa, 11th December 2014 - 25th January 2015, Lisbon, Portugal. 2012 - Solo exhibition TAKING FORMS, showcasing the progression of works from 2007-12, curated by Samira Seth and presented by Mr. & Mrs Duttaraj Salgaoncar, Sunaparanta Goa Centre For The Arts, Panaji, Goa, India. 2011 - Group exhibition DRAW THE LINE, curated by Margaret Mascarenhas, launch of first mobile brass wire sculptures, Sunaparanta Goa Centre For The Arts, Panaji, Goa, India. 2011 - Group exhibition BLACK & WHITE, curated by Devi himself, which showcases synthesis between painting, fashion and jewellery with fashion designer Syne Cutinho and jewellery designer Elena Fedosenko at Syne, Panaji, Goa, India. 2010 - Live Performing Installation LIVE YOUR ART 2 (five days/nights), curated by Margaret Mascarenhas, India International Film Festival, Sunaparanta Goa Centre For The Arts, Panaji, Goa, India. 2010 - Group exhibition CARNIVAL OF COLOURS, Ruchika Art Gallery, Panaji, Goa, India. 2010 - Solo exhibition FLOATING WORLD, curated by William Paes, Orchid Art Gallery, Mangalore, India. 2009 - Live Performing Installation LIVE YOUR ART (seven days/nights), curated by Margaret Mascarenhas, during the process Devi created 12x9 ft mural CITY OF JOY, Sunaparanta Goa Centre For The Arts, Panaji, Goa, India. 2009 - Solo exhibition MINUTIAE, Galleria Visu, Kokkola, Finland. 2009 - Group exhibition ARTIST IN ARMS, curated by David Whitefield, two-men-show with artist David Whitefield, Gallery La Grande, Civrey, France. 2009- Solo exhibition ARTIST OF THE FLOATING WORLD, curated by Margaret Mascarenhas and presented Rohita Doshi, Gallery Art Point, MUMBAI, India. 2008 - Group exhibition GOAN CONTEMPORARIES, curated by Margaret Mascarenhas and presented by Anwar Siddiqi, Nehru Centre, London, UK. 2008 - Solo exhibition MINUTIAE SERIES, curated by Taina Snellman, Tikau Art, Helsinki, Finland. 2008 - Group exhibition GOAN MASTERS – PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE, Ruchika Art Gallery, Panaji, Goa, India. 2008 - Solo exhibition BEYOND BARCELONA PRELUDE, curated by Swatee Nair Kotwal, Gallery Attic, Panaji, Goa, India. 2007 - Group exhibition with artists from Finland, Annan Galleria, Helsinki, Finland. 2007 - Group exhibition THREE AMIGOS, curated by Manju Sathia, along with artists Suhas Shilker and Swatee Nair Kotwal, Mon Art Gallery, Kolkata, India. 2007 - Group exhibition with artists from Goa, Gallery Beyond, Mumbai, India. 2006 - Solo exhibition BONDAGE TO FREEDOM, curated by Rudolf Ludwig, Gallery Art Chamber, Calangute, Goa, India. 2006 - Solo exhibition PORTRAIT OF EXISTANCE, self-curated, Literati – The Book Cafe, Calangute Goa, India. 2005 - Solo exhibition HERE TO INFINITY, self-curated, Gallery Inox Art Lounge, Panaji, Goa, India. 2003 - Solo exhibition CHANTS OF A MONK, HSBC Bank Art Gallery of K. K. Nag Foundation, Pune, India. 2003 - Solo exhibition EXPERIENCING THE UNKNOWABLE, presented by Athul Anand, Oshoworld Galleria, New Delhi, India. Devi’s works are also in private and public collections in countries such as Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Mexico, Portugal, Poland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America. |