Born in 1975, Roy Debanjan was awarded a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata in 1998 and a Master of Visual Arts from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata in 2000. Since then, he received the "Nirman Award' in 2004 and the Lalit Kala Academy Scholarship from 2002 to 2003. He also received a Junior Fellowship from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture for 2002 to 2004 and Best Sculpture Award by West Bengal State Academy and Rabindra Bharati University. His works have been exhibited widely, such as 'New Wave in Bengal Art' curated by Pranabranjan Ray, 2005, 'Tale of Two Cities' Birla Academy in 2004, "Migration City, Home' Lalit Kala Academy, Kolkata in 2003 and Triennale, Japan 2001. His first solo show was held at Birla Academy, in 2002. He currently stays and works in Kolkata.
Read moreRoy Debanjan has created a series of works featuring Gandhi (1869 - 1948), who was revered in India as the"Father of the Nation" and internationally as an icon of a free India. Debanjan's sculptures depict Gandhi in his humble loincloth and shawl normally only worn by the lowliest Indian caste. In sharp contrast, he interacts with symbols of materialism and technological advancement - mobile phones and laptops.
Gandhi once said, "There is more to life than increasing its speed." Debanjan's sculptures recall Gandhi's belief in non-violence and Satyagraha - meaning to live a life of truth and firmness - a way of life implicit in the Hindu religion. Painted red, the auspicious colour symbolizes purity in India; befitting of the man called Mahatma or Great Soul. Armed with the gadgets that define our modern existence, Indians race forward with these new tools in the name of progress and symbols of their new-found affluence. Debanjan's Gandhi questions the decline of social cohesiveness, collective spiritiualism and human interaction amidst a rapid economic ascent and a growing fondness for materialism. Perhaps as a harbinger for less spiritual times, Gandhi foretold, "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them."
Awards and Scholarships
2004
Nirman Award
2002-2003
Lalit Kala Academy Scholarship.
2002-2004
Junior Fellowship from Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Government of India
2001
HK Kejriwal Foundation Young Artist Award
2000
Best Sculpture Award from West Bengal State Academy
Best Sculpture Award from Rabindra Bharati University
1999
Best Sculpture Award from Rabindra Bharati University
1996
Certificate of Merit from Inter-University Competition
Solo Exhibitions
2007
Gandhara Gallery, Kolkata
2002
Sculpture Solo, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata
Select Group Exhibitions
2008
Who Knew? Mr. Gandhi, Aicon Gallery, London
The Road to Contemporary Art, art fair, Rome
2007
Eastern Edge, Aicon Gallery, New York
2005
New Wave in Bengal Art, Gallery Akar Prokar
2004
Tale of Two Cities, Birla Academy, Kolkata and Mumbai
Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi
2003
Migration, City, Home, Lalit Kala Academy, Kolkata
2001
Japan Triennial
Award Winners Exhibition, HK Kejriwal Foundation, Bangalore
2000
West Bengal State Academy Annual Exhibition
A.I.F.S Annual exhibition