Prajjwal Choudhury’s artistic journey

Thought-provoking works of art by this young and talented artist from Kolkata carry curious titles, such as ‘Where do I come from? Who am I? Where are I going?’, ‘Desire is Destroyed with the Destruction of Desire’, and ‘Nothing Endures but Change’ reflect Prajjwal Choudhury’s unconventional way of analyzing issues, emotions and concerns that surround our day-to-day lives.

Born in 1980, did his B.V.A. (Bachelor of Visual Arts) from The Indian College of Arts & Draftsmenship, Rabindra Bharati University, followed by his M.V.A. from the Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University, Baroda. A member of the Asia Pacific Artists Fellowship Program (2010) courtesy National Art Studio, South Korea, he was represented at the India Art Summit (2011, 2009) by Latitude 28.

The bewildering Banyan tree acted as the focal point, a mystical metaphor symbolizing India’s creative awakening, of a recent major international show at Vienna’s Essl Museum. ‘India Awakens: Under the Banyan Tree’, as its curator Alka Pande had put it, mapped the innovative approach of emerging contemporary artists, appreciated for their prophetic and artistic qualities. One name that clearly stands out is that of artist Prajjwal Choudhury.

Apart from ‘India Awakens’ in Klosterneuburg (2010); other significant shows he has featured in include at the 12th Harmony Art Show (2006); International Print Biennale, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal (2005); 77th All India Art Exhibition (AIFACS) at New Delhi in 2004, apart from a group exhibition at M.S.U, Baroda, 69th All India Art Exhibition at Academy of Fine Arts (Kolkata), and 47th National Exhibition of Art in the same year.

Among his other participations are 18th All India Art Exhibition, Nagpur (2003); Two Men Show at Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata (2002), also having featured in a group show at the academy and the 3rd Eastern region Art Exhibition, Kolkata.