Mrinal Dey

Born in 1979, Mrinal Dey earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts (specialising in Painting) and his Master’s degree from Indira Kala Sangeet University (Chhattisgarh) in 2005 and 2007, respectively.

Dey’s works, executed in acrylic on canvas, are primarily figurative and feature a single, voluminous figure occupying the majority of the composition. His use of a vibrant colour palette reflects the influence of the folk painting style prevalent in his native region. Space is a key element in the artist's work; he attempts to expand it within the confines of the canvas while simultaneously commenting on its scarcity. In many of his paintings, the viewer encounters a man crouching uncomfortably inside a box, struggling to fit into a cramped space—an image that perhaps symbolises contemporary society.

Dey maintains that art cannot be apolitical and must take a definite stance; however, he does not wish for his work to be labelled as radical or anti-establishment. His canvases incorporate various symbols of the modern world, most notably the barcode. Through these icons, the artist raises questions regarding the current commodification of people and objects, including art itself.

Mrinal Dey held a solo exhibition titled *Waiting In The Wings* at the Ganges Art Gallery in Kolkata in 2009. He also held solo exhibitions at Indira Kala Sangeet University (Khairagarh) in 2005 and 2007. His work has been featured in several group exhibitions, such as *Young Blood* at the Ganges Art Gallery in Kolkata (2009) and *Agnipath* in New Delhi (2005). Dey was awarded a gold medal at *Agnipath* and, in 2008, received two grants: one from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation (Canada) and another from the Government of China, awarded through the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India (New Delhi).

BORN

March 26, 1979

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

2007 Master of Fine Arts (Painting), Indira Kala Sangeet University, Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh

2005 Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting), Indira Kala Sangeet University, Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2009 Waiting In The Wings, Ganges Art Gallery, Kolkata

2005, 07 Indira Kala Sangeet University, Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2009 Young Blood, Ganges Art Gallery, Calcutta

2002, 2004 Nehru Centre Gallery, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh

2006 All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi

2005 Agnipath, New Delhi

PARTICIPATIONS

2010 GenNext V, Aakriti Art Gallery, Kolkata

2009 Annual Exhibition, Lalit Kala Academy, Kolkata

2003, 2004 Annual Exhibition, South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur

2005 Camlin Art Foundation, Mumbai

HONORS AND AWARDS

2008 Elizabeth Greenshields Grant, Canada

2008 Chinese Government Scholarship, H.R.D., New Delhi

2005 Gold Medal, Agnipath, New Delhi

2006 Cash Award, All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi

2004 Certificate of Recognition, South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur

2002 State Award, Nehru Art Gallery, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh