T.V. Santhosh

Born in Kerala, T.V.Santhosh earned his B.F.A. from Kalabhavan, Santiniketan, West Bengal, and his M.F.A. in Sculpture, from M.S.U, Baroda. A major presence in the Indian and international art scenes over the last decade, Santhosh has exhibited his work at numerous international art galleries and museums. Prominent museum shows include ‘India Xianzai’ Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai, China, 2009; 'Passage to India, Parts I and II New Indian Art from the Frank Cohen Collection', at Initial Access, Wolverhampton, UK, 2008 and 2009; ‘Aftershock, Sinsbury entre, Contemporary Art Norwich, England, 2007; and ’Continuity and Transformation’ promoted by Provincia di Milano, Italy, 2007.

While the work is conceptually based, T.V. Santhosh’s use of deeply saturated color and fluid edges bring the viewer to an elevated state of mind and adds an unnerving quality to the paintings. The tightness of the frame and the forcibly close vantage point harkens back to the film noir genre bringing the viewer to a reflective state. His images depict chaos and paranoia relating to current media coverage of contemporary events. His exploration demonstrates a reality on the verge of explosion as if time had been stopped. Simultaneously, the work is profoundly human and cerebral. Although his imagery is extremely current, they have become universal as we live with an oversaturation of imagery and rapid exchanges of ideas. People of all contexts and backgrounds can relate to their pictorial approach. By entering the world of T. V. Santhosh, we become accomplices to the drama and violence we have just experienced. We are left with a snapshot of a greater story both immediate and timeless, a witness to his conscience. (text from press release @ Jack Shainman Gallery, NY)

Education

1994: B.F.A in Sculpture, Kalabhavan, Santiniketan, West Bengal.
1997: M.A. (Fine) in Sculpture, Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S.U, Baroda.

SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

1997: Kerala Lalit Kala Academy State Award
1997: Inlaks Foundation (Indian)
1997: National Scholarship
1997: Kanoria Scholarship
1994: Ramkinker Award

EXHIBITION HISTORY

2009

Living With A Wound, Grosvenor Vadehra Gallery, London

2008

A Room To Pray, Avanthay Contemporary, Zurich

Countdown, The Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai

2006

KAAM, Aicon Gallery, New York

2005

False Promises, Grovenor Gallery, London

Whose Space is it Anyway, Gallery Espace, New Delhi

Double Enders, Jehangir Art Gallery and the Museum Gallery, Mumbai

2004

Bifocal Vision: The Near and The Far In Contemporary Indian Art, Edificio Sede da Caixa Geral de Depositos, Lisbon, Portugal

Unresolved Stories, Nature Morte, New Delhi

2003

One Hand Clapping/Siren, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

1997

Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda