Drawing inspiration from one’s roots
Artist Umesh Singh, recently won an international award from Tata Trust.
One of only three recipients of the Tata Trust Students’ Biennale International Awards and the only one from the city, Umesh Singh, a University of Hyderabad student wooed the jury with his art work, which is clearly inspired by his love for farming and agriculture.
Expressing his love for art, the 26-year-old explains his journey thus far. “I have always been inclined towards art from childhood but my father didn’t understand it, so I didn’t pursue it. I did my B.Com from Bihar and would occasionally display my art there. But it was on the occasion of Saraswati Puja one year that a couple of visitors came and informed me about degrees available in this field,” says Umesh.
For the most recent competition, Umesh sent his works in cyanotype print depicting farmers along with sculptural works made of discarded tools and diseased barks of trees.
Delighted over his win, the artist is now hoping that he could attend the 2019 Venice Biennale. “The organisation has asked us to select dates between mid May to June. They havn’t said it yet but we are hoping that they will take us to Venice to watch the show. I am really looking forward to it,” he says.
For Umesh, who hails from Bhojpur district of Bihar, winning a renowned prize has certainly come as a shot in the arm. “If they give some financial help, it would be great for people like me who need money for their future works. I also hope that the people from my village see that someone amongst them is exposed to art and is pursuing their passion,” says Umesh.