Artist Statement:
I am an award winning artist with more than a dozen solo and group shows under my belt. My experiences growing up in South Asia have had a major influence on my works, shaping not only subject matter and general motives, but also my color palette. I particularly enjoy creating vivid abstractions restricted to 2 or 3 dominant colors; using line, shape, design, contrast, and texture as my main creative elements. I have also explored monochromatic compositions with great success, winning “Award of Excellence” in the Mixed Media category from Triton Museum, Santa Clara, in 2007.
In 2011, my work was accepted to a juried show at Sandra Lee Gallery in San Francisco, 29 out of 350 submissions were accepted. In 2015 I won an award for the “Best Abstract” work in the OPEN juried art show organized by the Fine Arts league of Cupertino.
My training at the Fun Kadha Art Institute has provided me with a solid foundation in the traditional method of watercolor painting. I often apply the “watercolor layering” technique to my current acrylic and mixed media works. I love to experiment with texture and I have tried everything; from wax to sand to hand-made paper to build up unique surfaces.
I reside in Los Angeles where I currently work on contemporary abstract paintings on canvas and paper. I am actively involved in Los Angeles Art scene and have been juried into the Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica Art shows.
Education:
Self-taught:
- From 1992-1996 I went through a mentorship program in my home country.
- From 2002-2006 I did multiple studio art classes at Stanford University.
Awards & Distinctions:
2023 Second place award at the Beverly Hills Art show
2017 Juried member - Los Angeles Artist Association
2016 Third Place winner - Open juried show, FALC
2015 Best Abstract - Open Juried show, FALC
2012 Work accepted for State level Watermedia Exhibition - Triton Museum, Santa Clara
2011 Works accepted to State Level Juried show at Sandra Lee Art Gallery, San Francisco
2007 Award of Excellence - Mixed Media - Triton Museum, Santa Clara
2007 Best of Show - Gallery 2611 - Redwood City
Exhibitions:
SELECTED SOLO SHOWS:
2023 Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach Art Shows
2022 The Other Art Fair Los Angeles by Saatchi Art
2017 BHP - Beverly Hills, California
2012 Cupertino Library, Cupertino, California
2011 University Art, Palo Alto
2011 Vino Locale, Palo Alto
2010 Mountain View Center for Performing Arts
2008 Tied House, Mountain View and San Jose, California
2007 Allegro Gallery, Portola Valley, California
2004 Saint Mike's Cafe, Palo Alto, California
2003 Sunnyvale, California
1998 Sheraton Hotel Art Gallery, Karachi
SELECTED GROUP SHOWS:
2017 Neutra Institute Gallery, Los Angeles
2016 FM Fine Art Gallery, Los Angeles
2015 Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton
2014 China Brotsky Gallery, San Francisco
2014 Adobe Art Gallery, Casto Valley
2013 Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco
2013-15 San Francisco Open Studios, Fort Mason
2013 Presentation Center, Los Gatos
2013 Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove
2013 Intel Corp Headoffice, Santa Clara
2003-15 Silicon Valley Open Studios
2012 Fibre Arts Design Gallery, Palo Alto
2011 Sandra Lee Gallery, San Francisco
2011 Stanford University Art Spaces, Palo Alto
2003-10 Fine Arts League of Cupertino, California
2004-14 AV Art Fest, California
2009 SVOS Invitational Show at Pacific Art League
2008 California Modern Art Gallery, San Francisco
2007 Gallery 2611, Redwood City, California
2005 Golden Jubilee Art Show, Cupertino, California
2000 Sheraton Hotel Art Gallery
1999 "Anti Narcotics" painting competition at Sadequain Gallery
1998 Art Agency Defence
1997 V.M. Art Gallery
1995 Art Collector Gallery
1994 V.M. Art Gallery
1993 French Cultural Center
Artistic Influences:
Born and raised in South Asia, I was initially influenced by watercolor artists of my country. From 1992 to 2004 I was pretty much a watercolorist, creating realistic and then semi-abstract artworks.
Past 2005 I started creating abstract works. To be honest I have been inspired by many traditional and abstract artists but nobody has actually influenced me to the extent that I could list them here. I was fortunate enough to discover my own art style from a very early stage of my art career.
Artist Tags:
abstract, contemporary art, abstract art, canvas art, texture, vibrant art
