Portrait of an artist

What?s romantic about a sun-swept island? Before your imagination takes the next jet available, let?s tell you, it?s ?Art?! Art in Greece, to be specific.

What’s romantic about a sun-swept island? Before your imagination takes the next jet available, let’s tell you, it’s ‘Art’! Art in Greece, to be specific.

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Arts College Sculpture Department head Rajivanayan Pandeya has just returned from one such invigorating trip sponsored by the New Delhi Lalit Kala Akademi as part of a cultural exchange programme.

He says, “I was accompanied by a fellow artist from New Delhi. We interacted with Greek artists and visited several galleries including the Arts Colleges there. On our return, we submit a report to the Akademi”.

The genial artist, who can easily be ranked among the top 10 in India, says, “The Greece trip has taught me a lot about contemporary art and different methods and materials. There the artists keep experimenting all the time and therefore, are able to bring out new techniques and methods.”

Pandeya has made his mark at a young age. A postgraduate from the renowned MS College, Baroda, Rajiv joined Arts College in 1992.  He says, “Even after I joined Arts College as a lecturer I made sure that I did not give up learning. I knew that I had to keep evolving with time and keep learning contemporary art.

I also wanted to be abreast with the latest happenings in the art world so that I could teach my students well. And thankfully, my students are doing very well for themselves now. They, too, are making a mark for themselves.”

So, who inspires Rajivanayan? “I am really inspired and fascinated by Nagji Patel and Raghav Kaneria’s works. Both these artists had a vision and delivered brilliant pieces.”

He has put up some brilliant shows in the past and is all set to display his works again. He says, “A group show is coming up in Culcutta in August. This group show is different in the sense that 20 artists from three generations will participate in this show. All of them are top-notch artists. And, to share the gallery with them is an honour as well as a great opportunity.”

He adds, “Other two exhibitions that are coming up are solo exhibitions—one in Delhi and the other in Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. Both the exhibitions are sponsored. The Jehangir Art Gallery show is sponsored by an art collector called A Jadia.”

Talking about his family Rajivanayan says, “My wife is my support system. She encourages me, supports me and she is the one who is happiest for my achievements. I have two beautiful children—one daughter and one son.”

So, there’s a cosy family with a talented artist as the pivot. We will leave it at that.