Tushar Joag

Tushar Joag describes himself as a public intervention artist. He founded PWC (Public Work Cells), an organization that aims "to create works of art that seek to make interventions in the urban space, by designing and producing objects that while being functional and aesthetic bring into focus the various concerns of the immediate situation." 
A conscientious artist deeply aware the problems and tensions of contemporary urban life, Joag spends his time doing things like developing a special vending cart for hawkers that folds up into a ‘Shanghai Couch’, on the approach of prowling BMC officials. All his works carry a strong social message and address issues prevalent in our society including the corruption of the judiciary, political hierarchy and disparity of wealth. Joag’s drawings are meticulous, but do not appear to be confined; some images appear in momentum, others seem to entirely break away from the limitations of the canvas. 

Tushar Joag was born in Bombay in 1966. In 1988, he received his Bachelor’s degree from the Sir J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai, and in 1989, he completed his Master’s degree from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda. The artist’s solo shows include ‘Reconciliation and Truth’ at Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai, in 2008 and ‘Willing Suspension’ at Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, in 2005. Joag has also participated in numerous group shows including ‘India Art Now: Contemporary Indian Art Between Continuity and Transformation’ at Provincia di Milano, Italy, in 2007; ‘Here, There, Now: New and Recent Work by Artists from India’ at Soulflower Gallery, Bangkok, in 2007; ‘Pink’ at Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, in 2007; ‘Subcontingent: The Indian Subcontinent in Contemporary Art’ at Fondazione Sandretto re Rabaudengo, Torino, Italy, in 2006; ‘Hungry God: Indian Contemporaries’ at Arario Beijing, in 2006; and ‘We Are Like This Only’ at Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2005.
(Profile by Saffronart)