Basist Kumar India, b.1984
Basist Kumar (b.1984) received his BFA in 2007 from the College of Art, Delhi University and his MFA in 2009 from the Vishwa-Bharati University, Santiniketan. Having been trained in the figurative school in India, a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture enabled him to study at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China for two years (2013–15). This had a profound influence on both his technique and style and he now paints landscapes, with usually just the slightest hint of a human presence. Kumar has exhibited his work in several solo exhibitions at Nature Morte, New Delhi and Davide Gallo Gallery, Berlin. He has also exhibited works in group exhibitions at Nature Morte, New Delhi, India; Maya Art Space, Kolkata, India; Bose Pacia, Kolkata, India; and Davide Gallo Gallery, Berlin, Germany.
His works are characterised by an overwhelming level of detail and atmospheric specificity, resulting in dream-like panoramas that verge upon the mythic. His works are almost containers of weather and light. There is the sense of something epic going on, as if from ancient myth, yet it can’t really be articulated. His painterly technique hits a level of verisimilitude that is buoyant, crystalline and bracing.
Selected Artworks
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
2022
Inscapes, Nature Morte, New Delhi
2018
Gazing at Reality, Nature Morte, New Delhi
2009
Reality Uncertained, Davide Gallo Gallery, Berlin
Group Exhibitions
2024
Manifestoes in the Open Air, Lalit Kala Akademie, Chennai, presented by Ashvita's
Battle Royale, Nature Morte, Dhan Mill, New Delhi
2023
Inscapes – In search of a place, Bikaner House, New Delhi, presented by Latitude 28
2022
India Art Fair, Nature Morte Booth, New Delhi, India
2021
Delhi Contemporary Art Week, Bikaner House, New Delhi
2020
India Art Fair, Nature Morte Booth, New Delhi, India
2018
India Art Fair, Nature Morte Booth, New Delhi, India
2016
Journey - 3rd Annual Show, Maya Art Space, Kolkata, India
2014
Voice of Nature, Hangzhou Environmental Group, Hangzhou, China
2013
United Art Fair, Nature Morte, New Delhi, India
2012
Titillation and Gratification, Nature Morte, New Delhi, India
2010
The Gamut, Nature Morte, New Delhi, India
2009
Bologna Art Fair, Davide Gallo Gallery, Berlin, Germany
2008
De-Facing, Bose Pacia, Kolkata, India
2007
Speculum Mundi, Davide Gallo Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Preview Berlin, Art Fair, Berlin, Germany
Awards
2013
Senior Scholar, Chinese Govt. Scholarship for Study Visit, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou
2008
Merit Award
2007
Biswanath Mukherjee Award
2005
Certificate of Merit