Ashok Bhowmick

Ashok Bhowmick, an acclaimed painter and sculptor, is best known for mastering and popularizing the artistic technique of cross-hatching. Born in 1953, Bhowmick discovered his talent and passion for the arts at an early age. He attributes his inclination towards the arts to his mother, who was also his first teacher. In 1974, he took up the practice of cross-hatching and formally launched his career with the solo exhibition Ashok - 74. 

Through his art, Bhowmick explores themes of personal and social significance. While his works from The Coal Mine series are driven by reflections on the inhuman conditions and poverty faced by coal workers, the Jai Ho and The Bull series are inspired by emotions and thoughts universally recognized by individuals. A recurring theme in his artworks is the bird. Present in most of his paintings, including the Warli series and the Amina & the Birds series, Bhowmick uses the bird as a symbol of courage and companionship. 

In addition to his artistic activities, Bhowmick is also a writer and philosopher. He lives and works in Delhi.

BORN

July 31, 1953 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

1973 Master of Science, Kanpur University

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2020 The Layered Lens Crosshatching by Ashok Bhowmick, Gallerie Splash, Gurgaon

2019 Singapore Art Fair, Singapore

2017 Tribute to Tagore, Embassy of India in Japan, Tokyo

2014 Memories of the Dark Days, Cinema of Resistance Jadavpur University, Kolkata

2014 Epic on the Rock Shelters, Cymroza Art Gallery, Mumbai

2011 India Art Summit, New Delhi

2011 India Art Fair, New Delhi

2009 Recent Works, Museum Art Gallery, Kumar Gallery, New Delhi

2007 Retrospective 1997, 2007, Kumar Art Gallery, New Delhi

2004 Warli in Me and Other Paintings, Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay

2004 Selected Works, Kumar Art Gallery, New Delhi

2001 Recent Works, Gallery Katayun, Calcutta

1999 Works on Paper, Admit One Art Gallery, New York

1997 Manushi and Other Paintings, Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay

1996 My City, My Childhood, Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta

1994 Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay

1993 Ganesha, Artists Centre, Bombay

1991 Recent Paintings, Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay

1983 In the Darkness, Allahabad University, Allahabad

1980 The Sun and the Beggar, Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta

1980 The Sun and the Beggar, Nehru Hall, Azamgarh

1974 Kanpur

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

1973, 1974, 1978, 1980 Annual Art Exhibitions of State Lalit Kala Academy, U.P.

1980, 1981 All India Painting Exhibition, organized by Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta.

The 1981 All India Contemporary Art Exhibition was organized by the Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Calcutta. 

1977, 1978 Art of Uttar Pradesh, jointly organized by Lalit Kala Central Academy and State Lalit Kala Academy under the State Cultural Exchange Programme. 

1990 Silver Jubilee Exhibition of State Lalit Kala Academy, U.P. 

1991 This exhibition was organized in Lucknow, Goa, Chennai, and the 4th Delhi National Art Fair, Delhi. 

2001 Art of Bengal, jointly organized by Art Today Art Gallery and Katayun Gallery in Delhi. 

Art Access-V Exhibition 2001, organized by Birla Academy of Art & Culture in Mumbai. 

Autumn Applause 2001, organized by Katayun Gallery, Calcutta. 

Gems of Contemporary Indian Art 2001, organised by Concern India Foundation in Mumbai. 

Spirit of the Century 2004, Kumar Art Gallery

Four Contemporary Indian Artists 2005, at Hamail Art Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan. 

Celebration 2007, Kumar Art Gallery. 

Celebration 2008, Kumar Art Gallery

Celebration 2010, Kumar Art Gallery

2011 Unicorn Gallery, Karachi.

PARTICIPATIONS

2005 Delivered a lecture on My Time, My Art to the students and staff of the Department of Paintings, National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan. 

2006 Delivered a lecture on Commercialization and Contemporary Art at the Department of Paintings, Allahabad University. 

2006 Attended the international seminar on Gender Perspective in Asian Art on the occasion of the Asian Art Festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

2007 Evaluated the merit to select the awardees of the paintings submitted for the All India Exhibition organized by Lalit Kala State Academy, U.P. 

2007 Member of the Jury for the All India Exhibition organized by Kalidasa Academy, Ujjain, M.P.

2011 Participated in the 2nd Art Summit, New Delhi. 

2013 Participated in the 4th Art Summit (India Art Fair), New Delhi. 

2013 Participated in Art of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh at Hamail Art Gallery, Dubai.