Prajakta Palav Aher

Prajakta Palav Aher paints every detail from a multitude of photographic references that she has archived over the years. The candid medium of photography allows her to unpretentiously penetrate the many aspects of middle class life in India, and capture its varied truths. 

Her works in acrylic on canvas depict images from her own background and reflect the insecurities and complexities of middle class life. With great skill and photographic perfection Aher paints pictures of fake plastic flowers adorning doors and staircases; newspaper stacks lying behind wooden cabinets; suitcases and bags perched on top of the cupboard; torn papers and documents covered in plastic sheets filling old wall units; and the iconic image of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, traveling the routes of an everyday commuter. 

Although the artist’s portrayals are realistic, they do not come across as documentaries but instead, allow the viewer to realize the disposition of the situations, and find humour in them. 

Prajakta Palav Aher was born in Mumbai in 1979. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in painting from the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, in 2000 and her Master’s degree in portraiture from the same institute, in 2003. Aher has participated in a number of solo as well as group shows. The most recent of these include those held at Kitab Mahal, Mumbai, in 2007; Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2007; Empire Art and the Shrine Gallery, New Delhi at the Taj Bengal, Kolkata, in 2007; Project 88, Mumbai, in 2007; Gallery Beyond, Mumbai, in 2005; the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, in 2005; and Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai, also in 2005.

The artist lives and works in Mumbai. 

(Profile by Saffronart)