Ox - VI

The beast within! That's the thought that comes to mind when facing H.R.'s bulls. You give. There is an empathy that is evoked in the viewer before his canvases. They exude the power, pride, and heart of the beast that is a part of us all.

H.R. Das captures the essence of village life through its incredible livestock. In it, the bulls and cows not only exist but pulse with energy. Whether bound or free, they effortlessly express the sheer strength and beauty of the beast. H.R. Das has taken the bull and made it his own, there is no denying the fact that he has a distinctly unique style in portraying this magnificent animal that is so ingrained in the Indian culture and psyche. Some may say that he has taken an ordinary animal and given him heroic status in the way that he takes on an almost human personality. One can identify with the beast's agony, its joy of life, and its anger, and one can also fear it.

While some artists tend to overlook the background, treating it as a mere support for their central theme; H.R. Das treats it as a stage in front of which his characters act. They may recede and be discarded as props, but his backgrounds still command attention, the intricate tapestry effect, and silent lines providing a vibrant setting that serves to highlight the interactions between the main actors in his masterpiece.

H.R. Das presents himself more as a director than an artist, presenting a visual display of raw emotions and power.

BORN

1972 Itla, Burdwan

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

2002 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Indira Kala Sangit Vishwa Vidyalaya, Khairagarh (C.G.)

MFA from Karnataka State Open University, Mysore

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2008 Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

2008 Hare Bulls, Suchitrra Arts Gallery, Mumbai

2007 Art Entry, Mumbai

2006 Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai

2004 Nehru Center Art Gallery, Mumbai

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2008 Kyn Kyny Art Gallery, Bengaluru

2008 Orissa Gallery of Modern Art, Bhubaneswar

2008 Nehru Art Gallery, Bhilai

2007 Atelier India Art Gallery, Mumbai

2007 Chitrakala Parishat, Bengaluru

2007 Mahua Gallery, Bengaluru

2007 Nehru Center Art Gallery, Mumbai

2006 Chemould Gallery, Calcutta

2006 Suchitrra Arts Gallery, Mumbai

2006 Art Entry, Mumbai

2005 Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai

2005 Calcutta Academy of Fine Arts

2004 Charu Kala Pradarshani, Kolkata

2002 Nehru Art Gallery, Bhilai

2000 Nehru Art Gallery, Bhilai

PARTICIPATIONS

2011 Presented by Artchutney at The Taj Corridor, The Taj West End, Bengaluru

2008 Organized by Arushi Arts at The Stainless Gallery, New Delhi

2008 Bombay Art Society, Mumbai

2004 Charu Kala Pradarshani, Kolkata

2002 68th Annual Exhibition of the Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar

2003 Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata

2002 Lokmanya Tilak Art Exhibitions, Pune

2002 Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi

2002 Drawing Exhibition, Punjab Lalit Kala Academy, Chandigarh

2000, 01, 02, 1999 Annual Exhibition, Indira Kala Sangit University, Khairagarh

2001 Jharkhand Art Exhibition, Jharkhand

2001 Annual Exhibition of the Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta

1999 South Central Zone Cultural Center (SCZCC), Nagpur

1997-2000 Charu Kala Pradarshani and Utsav, Kolkata

1995-1996 Calcutta State Academy Annual Exhibition