Pratul Dash

Pratul Dash is a conscientious human being who believes that the most vital role of an artist is to work towards uplifting society. Born in rural Orissa, Dash grew up enjoying the openness of landscapes untouched by man. New Delhi however, came as a rude awakening to the artist, who spent over a year in the bustling metropolis while pursuing his Master’s degree at the College of Art there. 

After experiencing first-hand the deteriorating state of natural landscapes, Dash became more and more concerned with the rate at which expanding cities were invading open spaces. His works reflect his concerns about the environment as well as his own experiences as a man from a simple town, leading a simple life, thrown unprepared into the chaos of urban spaces. On close examination, the viewer can sense the pain caused by this displacement of the self and the physical body, and the struggle of trying to exist in as familiar land as a rightful citizen rather than a refugee. 

Dash was born in Burla, Orissa, in 1974. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the B.K. College of Arts and Crafts, Bhubaneswar, in 1995 and his Master’s degree in painting from the College of Art, New Delhi, in 1998. Dash has participated in a number of solo shows, the most recent ones being, ‘Proxy Origin’ at Palette Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2008; ‘Neo-Istoria’ at Palette Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2007; ‘UNIDEE in Residency’ at Cittadelarte, Italy, in 2004; and those at Krishna Collections Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2003; Triveni Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2001; and Rashtriya Lalit Kala Academy, Bhubaneswar, in 1995. Amongst Dash’s honours are the from the Industrial Literature Society award, Italy, in 2005; a scholarship from the Inlaks Foundation in 2004; the M.F. Husain award from the College of Art, New Delhi, in 1998; and three annual awards from the B.K. College of Arts and Crafts, Bhubaneswar, in 1991, ‘92 and ‘93.

(Profile by Saffronart)