Style : Dharmendra loves experimenting with different forms and styles, shifting from figuration to landscapes to abstraction to narratives and again to abstract art. He gained a variety of experience during his college days by working with legendary masters like Ram Gopal Vijaywargiya, then on miniatures with Bannu ji and Kripal Singh. His work focuses on gyan, dhyan, and vigyan where his figuration stands distinctly for the elongated eyes, dainty demure, peaceful posturing, meditative stance and long flowing robes of his protagonist. There is orange of sindur, the rust of earthen roof tiles, the brown of the soil and the pink of the stone from his home state makes a recurrent appearance in his work. The playful figurative paintings over laden with abstract swirls, strokes scribbles reflect the duality of life and the rustic terrain full of vibrant sounds and sights of Rajasthan comes alive under the master strokes of Dharmendra Rathore.
About the Artist and his work :
Born : 1965, Salari, Rajasthan.
Education :
1990 – Diploma in Painting from the Rajasthan School of Art, Jaipur with a First Class.
1993 – MFA from the Delhi College of Art, New Delhi.
Solo Shows :
2002 – Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi,
2001 – Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai & Shridharani Art Gallery New Delhi,
2000 – Bajaj Art Gallery Mumbai,
1998 – Nehru Art Centre Mumbai,
1997 – Triveni Art Gallery New Delhi ; Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai & Vadhera Art Gallery, New Delhi,
1994 – Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai,
1993 – Shridharani Art Gallery New Delhi & Vadhera Art Gallery New Delhi.
International Exhibitions : His works have travelled to Denmark, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Mauritius and have been featured in exhibitions like -“Harmony Show”, “Save the Children” and “The Joy of Life”. He has also participated in the First Biennale of Contemporary Art held in Arad, Romania in May, 2005.
Awards :
• Scholarships from AIFACS, Rajasthan Biennial, State Lalit Kala Akademy
• Fellowship from Ministry of Human Resource Development.
