Taking Shape - IV

Dr. Vidhyasagar Upadhyay, born in 1948 in Partapur, Banswara, Rajasthan, India, is a renowned artist and educator. He followed his passion for art by earning his Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Udaipur in 1970 and his Doctorate in Fine Arts from Sukhadia University, Udaipur, in 1997.

As a leading contemporary Indian artist, his remarkable artworks have garnered recognition and acclaim, finding a place in numerous prestigious public and private collections. These include renowned galleries such as the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi, the Lalit Kala National Academy in New Delhi, the Prime Minister's Residence, the United States Information Centre in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of India, the State Gallery of Modern Art, Jaipur and many more.

During his early years as a professional artist, he worked exclusively with black pigment and its various shades, creating captivating abstract compositions. His black and white series mesmerizes viewers with contrasting shapes against a backdrop of deep white space, evoking a sense of harmonious realms to explore. Over time, his canvases grew larger and darker, his brushstrokes became freer and more spontaneous, and he incorporated vivid hues. He chooses to depict shapes that often resemble evolving natural forms, such as clouds, smoke, fog, or dunes that slowly transform and diffuse into space. Even today, Upadhyay continues to experiment and develop his artistic style to convey his boundless curiosity and passion. His art ultimately embodies a vision of simplicity.

Dr. Upadhyay served as the Head of the Department of Painting at the Rajasthan School of Art in Jaipur, significantly influencing the field of fine art education. His dedication and expertise were recognized with numerous awards including the Certificate of Merit from the Government of Rajasthan for Outstanding Contribution to Fine Arts Education in 1983, the National Award for Painting from the National Lalit Kala Akademi in 1981, and the All India Award from the UP State Akademi in 1984. He has also served as a member of the executive board of the National Akademi of Fine Arts, New Delhi.

BORN

1948 Rajasthan

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

1970 Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Udaipur University

1996 Ph.D. in Painting from Sukhadia University, Udaipur

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

1967 Government. Banswara University

1971 Information Centre, Jaipur

1971 Department of Painting MB College Udaipur

1972 AIFACS Art Gallery, New Delhi

1975 Information Centre, Udaipur

1975 Sridharni Art Gallery, New Delhi

1975 Ravindra Manch Art Gallery, Jaipur

1978 Ravindra Bhavan Art Gallery, New Delhi

1980 Ravindra Bhavan Art Gallery, New Delhi

1981 Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University of Baroda

1982 Contemporary Art Gallery, Ahmedabad

1982 Department of Fine Arts. Banasthali Vidyapith

1982 Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay

1985 Amrapali Gallery, New Delhi

1985 Taj Art Gallery, Bombay

1986 Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay

1986 Akaar Gallery, Chandigarh

1986 Ravindra Manch Art Gallery, Jaipur

1988 Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay

1989 Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi

1990 Ravindra Manch Art Gallery, Jaipur

1991 Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay

1991 The Heritage Gallery, Chennai

1992 Sridharni Art Gallery, New Delhi

1993 Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur

1996 Ravindra Bhavan Art Gallery, New Delhi

1996 Ravishankar Raval Art Gallery, Ahmedabad

1994-1998 Kala Mela Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi. Jaipur

1997 Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

1997 Shahjahan Art Gallery, New Delhi

2000 Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur

2000 Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

2001 Juneja Art Gallery, Jaipur

2002 Espace Gallery, Avignon, France

2005 Ravindra Bhavan Art Gallery, New Delhi

2005 Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur

2006 Sarjan Art Gallery, Vadodra

2007 Ravindra Bhavan Art Gallery, New Delhi

2010 Neerja Modi Center for Performing and Visual Arts, Jaipur

2011 Gonczi Galeria, Zalaegerszeg, Landorhegyiut, Hungary

WORKSHOPS

1978 All India Painters Camp org. by National Lalit Kala Akademi in Udaipur

1984Regional Centre, Chennai

1982, 85, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93 Takhaman-28 in Udaipur

1981 J&K. Akademi of Art and Languages in Srinagar

1985 Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi. Jaipur at Mount Abu

1990 Lalit Kala Akademi New Delhi

1984 RTDC and Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi. Jaipur and Pushkar

1987, 1998 Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi and Himachal Kala Akademi in Simala

1989 SAARC International Painters Camp in Simla org. by the government of India

1990 Indo-German Painters Camp org. by Maxmullar Bhavan, Calcutta

1993,1994 All India Painters Camp org. by Sangi Group of Industries in Sanghi Nagar,  A.P

1994 ABC Akademi, Varanasi

1994 International Multimedia Camp by L.K.A. N.Delhi in Jawahar K K

1995 Goa Kala Akademi, Panaji

2001 L.K.A. International Multimedia Camp N.Delhi in Jawahar K K

2002 Represents India at the 33rd International Art Symposium in Gyor, Hungary, org. by the Gyor Municipal Art Museum within the framework of the cultural exchange program

2003 Mao College, Ajmer

2004 International Art Symposium at Kokrajar College of Fine Arts, Kokrajar, Bodoland Aasam

2006 International Art Symposium at J.K.K. Jaipur org. by VYOM Art Gallery, Jaipur

2007 All India Artists Camp at IIHMRS, JAIPUR org. by Bhoruka Charitable Trust

2007 All India Painters Camp in Goa org. by SAMANVYA Art Gallery, Jaipur

2008 All India Painters Camp in Bhuvaneshwar, org.by Orisa LKA

2008 All India Painters Camp in Srinagar org. by J&K Akademi

2008 All India Painters Camp in NewDelhi org by ITDC

2008 All India Painters Camp organized by Neerj Modi School Art Center in Jaipur

2009 International Art Symposium org. by Mati Manas Art Foundation in Jaipur

2009 International Art Symposium org. by Neerj Modi School Art Center in Jaipur

2010 All India Painters Camp org. by ICA Art Gallery, Jaipur

2010 Geb Art International Art Symposium 2010 in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary

2010 National Contemporary Art Camp, Panjim, Goa, org. by the Department. Of Art and Culture, government. from goa

2011 All India Painters Camp org. by Dhar Foundation at Art of Living, Bengaluru

2011 All India Painters Camp in Mumbai org. by IACA, Mumbai

2011 Sukhadia University, Udaipur

2012 All India Painters Camp in Leh-Laddakh org. by J&K akademi and Leh Development Corporation

2012 All India Painters Camp organized by ABS Foundation Vadodara in Uttarayan

1980, 1982, 1984, 1997-2000 Takhaman 28, a group of experimental artists from Rajasthan in Jaipur, Udaipur

1990 Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi in Jaipur, 1985 and at WZCC. , Udaipur

1985 Paul Lingerin, an Eminent Printmaker of USA, Workshop Organization, by USIS, New Delhi At Garhi Studio New Delhi

1987 WZCC and Kala Akademi Goa in Panaji

1991, 1994 Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal

1995 Waterless Lithography Workshop at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal org. by USIS New Delhi In collaboration with Tumarin Institution, USA

1993 Lithography workshop by WZCC, Udaipur

1994 WZCC and College of Fine Arts, Baroda

1994 Jawahar Kala Kendra Jaipur

2002 Regional Centre, Lucknow

PARTICIPATIONS

1975 Represents India at the Third International Indian Triennial, Lalit Kala Akademi New Delhi

1975 VII International Exhibition of Contemporary Art. org by AIFACS, New Delhi

1986 Represents India at the 6th International India Triennial, org. by Lalit Kala Akademi New Delhi

1988 Represents India at the India Festival in Japan

1985 Graphic art in India since 1850, organized by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi

1985, 1988 All India Prints Exhibition org. by Group-8 and Chandigarh College of Art

1988 Third International Engraving Salon org. by AIFACS, New Delhi

1988, 1990, 1995 2nd, 3rd and 4th Biennial of Contemporary Art of India, org. by Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal

1989 International Independence Prints Exhibition, Kanagava, Japan

1989, 1991, 1994 Bharat Bhavan International Print Exhibition, Bhopal

1987 Group exhibition of Indian artists in Maul Brorun, Germany

1987 Group exhibition of Indian artists in Gaggenaw, Germany

1990-1991 Indo-German Painters Exhibition Title War and Peace in the Major Cities of India and Germany

1993 Represents India at the Asian Biennale, Dhaka, Bangladesh

1994 International Exhibition of Mini Prints org. by UNEAC, Cuba

1994 Drawings-94 Special Exhibition org. by Gallery Espace, New Delhi

1974 from National Art Exhibition org. by National Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi

1975 All India Exhibition org. by AIFACS, New Delhi

1972 Bombay Art Centre, Mumbai

1971 from A.P. Lalit Kala Akademi State, Lucknow, Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi, Jaipur

1967 In the state and important art centers of India A tribute to Van Gogh, an exhibition org. by Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi

1999 Annual Art Exhibition org. by Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram The Desert & Beyond Exhibition org. by the British Council, in New Delhi

1997 Exhibition of major trends in India organized by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, on the 50th anniversary of India's independence

1997 Special Exhibition Color of Rajasthan org. by Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi and JKK in Jaipur, on the 50th anniversary of Indian independence

1997-1998 Movement in India A TRIBUTE Special exhibition org. by Karnataka Chtrakala Parishad, Bengaluru

1998 Contemporary art exhibition to support the mentally challenged through PRAYAS, an NGO working for them, at AIFACS, N.Delhi, and JKK, Jaipur

2000 Exhibition A harvest of vision. org. by M.E.C. Art Gallery, New Delhi

1999 Exhibition miniature format org. by Banglore Artists Group in Banglore

1967 Annual art exhibitions and group exhibitions, Takhman 28, an experimental Rajasthan group in Rajasthan and major cities of India since

1994 Raj. Teachers of the School of Arts Art Exhibition at the Institution since

2001 We13 Group Exhibition of Rajasthan Printmakers in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and New Delhi

2002 LOK RANG an exhibition by Art org. by Gallery Art Pilgrim in New Delhi

2003 IN POETIC REALMS An exhibition of Four abstract painters from India org. by Birla Akademi of Art and Culture, Mumbai

2003 Corresponding Latitudes Exhibition of paintings by an Indo-Australian painter at J.K.K. Jaipur

2004-2006 Multiple Encounters, Indo-American print exhibition in New Delhi org. by Manhattan Graphics Center New York, USA

2005 SWARNREKHA An Exhibition of National Award-Winning Artists from National Lalit Kala Akademi

2005 New Delhi at the time of the Golden Jubilee celebration at Ravindra Bhawan, New Delhi

2005 Indo-Australian Painters Exhibition CORRESPONDING LATITUDESAN at Kick Art Centre, Queen's Land, Australia

2005 ART FOR VISION A special exhibition org. by Sankara Naturally, Chennai at Ravindra Bhavan, New Delhi

2007 KALIDOSKOP An exhibition at Kitab Ghar .Mumbai org. by Ayya Art Gallery Chennai

2007 TALES OF TEXTURES A group exhibition at Travancore House, New Delhi org. by Art Elements Gallery, New Delhi

2007 An Artistic Journey Rajasthan and the UK in Jaipur & Chandigarh org by RLKA, British Council and ABS Chandigarh

2008 A JOURNEY OF ARTISTS SOLDIERS. An exhibition organized by Vinyasa Art Gallery in Chennai

2008 AORA ART SHOW AT Nehru Center Mumbai org. by Aora Foundation, Mumbai

2008 Windows, a look at the organization of contemporary Indian art by Ayya Art Gallery, Chennai and Prakrit Art Gallery, Chennai in New Delhi. 

2008 Continuum, a special art exhibition in support of Udayan Care at Hyatt Regency, Delhi

2008 Art Today in Rajasthan at Dhoomimal Art Center, New Delhi

2008 Group exhibition at Aen dan tai Gallery, Seoul, South Korea

2009 Segment-4 Group Exchange Exhibition of Indian Art at Gallery 21, Budapest, Hungary

2009 ERROR-3 group exhibition of British, Spanish, Japanese, and Indian artists at Safaya Gallery, Barcelona, Spain, and at Chaturdik Art Gallery, J.K.K. Jaipur

2010 Indo-French Art Exhibition at Chaturdik Gallery, JKK, Jaipur

2011 Together, a group exhibition of eminent Indian artists at Ravindra Bhavan Art Gallery, New Delhi

2011 Rajasthan Wails (UK) Exchange Exhibition at Chaturdik Art Gallery, JKK, Jaipur and Hayward Garden Art Gallery, Cardiff, UK

2011 Outline of an exhibition at the British Council art gallery, New Delhi

2011 Raj Rang Contemporary Art Exhibition org. by Kalaneri Art Gallery, Jaipur in Jaipur Mumbai and Puna

2011 Pink City Art Project art exhibition by Indo-Korean artists at Jawahar Kala Kendra Jaipur and Ujamboo Art Center, Korea

HONORS AND AWARD

1981 National Painting Award from Lalit Kala Akademi New Delhi

1984 All India Painting Award by U.P. State Academy

1989 All India Painting Award by the Government of Bihar

1991 All India Painting Award by Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi Jaipur

1969, 1972, 1975, 1978, 1980, 1982 and 1984 Lalit Kala Akademi State Painting and Drawing Awards, Jaipur

1971, 1972 Best Teaching Artist Award by Director P. & S. Education, Rajasthan