Manisha Gera Baswani

Statement

A painting is the ambrosia for the mind. The act of painting is a 360-degree exercise for me which allows meditative time, a structured discipline and immense personal gratification. I delight in the viewer\'s interpretation, for I do not myself weave any message in my works. Be it insects, galaxies, pop icons or ancient Indian murals, they all have a place on my canvas. The elements I choose to take a life of their own from one painting to the next because I leave them unfettered of any intellectual shackles. A night bird sits perched under the dark sky while a shower hangs precariously behind a curtain reminiscent of a Pichwai above a lotus pond.

Biography

Born in 1967, New Delhi, she has completed her B.F.A and M.F.A from Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi in 1990 and 1992 respectively.

She has held solo shows of her works across the country \'Hope is the thing with feathers\', Gallery Espace, New Delhi in 2012; Anant Gallery, Kolkata in 2007; Palette Gallery, New Delhi in 2006; Gallery Chemould, Mumbai in 2005.

Her works have been included in many group exhibitions held at both within and outside India including ' Tactile', Latitude 28, New Delhi in 2012; ‘Fabular Bodies’, Curator Gayatri Sinha, Harmony Foundation, Mumbai in 2011; ‘De-Sizing’, Curator: Anupa Mehta, NCPA, Mumbai in 2007; ‘Telling it like this’, The Indian Story in London, Gallery Espace, New Delhi in 2007; ‘Paper Flute’, Curator: M L Jony, Gallery Espace, New Delhi in 2006; ‘Gallery Guild & Saffron Art\', Curator: Girish Shahane, Mumbai in 2004; ‘In Conversation’‚ Gallery Espace. Curator: Gayatri Sinha, New Delhi in 2002; ‘Kala Ghoda’‚ Art Festival, Mumbai in 1999 and National Exhibition, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi in 1992.

She is a recipient of the National Scholarship and Junior Fellowship from the Government of India in 1991-93 and 1995-97. She also received the French Government scholarship to study in Paris in 1993. Her works are part of the collection at the National Gallery of Modern Art. She lives and works in Gurgaon, Haryana