P. N. Choyal Profile   |    Summary "My paintings come out of my life experiences. They may be figurative and pictorial, but it’s my imagination that adds the details." Known for his imaginative capturing of the ruins of Rajasthan, Choyal nevertheless manages to infuse them with contemporary concerns. The fort and havelis (mansions) of his native Rajasthan are a favourite subject and his often realistic depictions are evocative of the grandeur that they represent. The... Read More "My paintings come out of my life experiences. They may be figurative and pictorial, but it’s my imagination that adds the details." Known for his imaginative capturing of the ruins of Rajasthan, Choyal nevertheless manages to infuse them with contemporary concerns. The fort and havelis (mansions) of his native Rajasthan are a favourite subject and his often realistic depictions are evocative of the grandeur that they represent. The rather contradictory pulls of abstraction and realism seem to have been realised in his work. Choyal was introduced to watercolours at eight by well-known artist Kalu Ram Sharma, but there were numerous turbulent experiences due to his observation of interpersonal relationships that also shaped his style. His father refused him permission to leave the country even when the Hungarian artist Madame Balettiny, who’d noticed Choyal's work on her visit to Kota, invited him to Hungary. Later, he spent two years at the Slade College of Arts in London in 1961-62, after completing a bachelor's course at Jaipur's Fine Arts College and another course at Mumbai's Sir J.J. School of Art. Early in his childhood, Van Gogh influenced him, but Choyal confesses to being transformed by the works of Colt Stream, the dean of his college. It was Stream's unique way of applying thin colors on the canvas that influenced him. Choyal won numerous awards including the prestigious National Award (Lalit Kala Akademi, '98) and is a forerunner of an artistic tradition that includes his son, daughter-in-law and grandson. Yet, he wasn't the last painter in his family. The tradition is being carried forward by his son and daughter in law --- Shail and Surjeet. Read Less Born January 5, 1924   Kota, Rajasthan Education 1961-62 Slade College of Arts, University College, London 1953 Government Diploma (Painting), Sir J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai 1948 Fine Art Diploma, School of Arts & Crafts, Jaipur 1946 D.T.T. , School of Arts & Crafts, Jaipur Exhibitions Selected Solo Exhibitions 2006 7 Solo Show , sponsored by... Selected Solo Exhibitions 2006 7 Solo Show , sponsored by gallery ‘Le POINT du JOUR’, Paris 2005 Lille, France 2003 Retrospective Exhibition sponsored by Dhoomimal Art Center, New Delhi 1992 Organized by Shimin Gaiko Association at Kyoto, Japan 1989 Sarla Art Centre, Chennai Selected Group Exhibitions 2004 ‘Ignition’, An exhibition by 40 artists, Crimson: The Art Resource, Mumbai. 2003 Platinum Celebration of All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), Amritsar 2003 ‘Kite: A Celebration of Freedom’, Dhoomimal Art Center, New Delhi 2002 ‘Half a Square Foot’, Dhoomimal Art Center, New Delhi 2000 ‘The Millennium Mask’, Dhoomimal Art Center, New Delhi 2000 Ignition’, An exhibition by 40 artists, Crimson: The Art Resource, Mumbai. 2000 ‘Indian Art and Cinema’, Arushi Art Gallery, New Delhi 1999 ‘Indian Art and Cinema’, Arushi Art Gallery, New Delhi 1999 ‘The Enduring Lines’, homage to Mahender Jain, Dhoomimal Art Center, New Delhi 1998 An Exhibition organized by Spastic Society of Karnataka. 1997 An Art exposition in Aid of Karnataka Police Benevolent Fund. 1994 Global Organization at Hotel Green Elizabeth, Montreal, Canada. 1993 ‘Shraddha Samarpan’, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. 1993 Artists Exhibition at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1992 Global Forum for Artists Conference & Shimin Giako Association for one-man show, Japan. 1992 A Group of Indian Artists Exhibition at Malaysia. 1992 ‘Downtrodden and We’, sponsored by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi 1991 ‘Images of Joy & Despair’, Singapore 1990 ‘Veteran Artists of India’, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi 1990 ‘Art for CRY’ 1989 ‘Nature and Environment’, Nehru Birth Centenary organized by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi Participations 2003,04,06 ‘Harmony Show’, Nehru Centre, Mumbai 2002 2nd Asian Art Exhibition, All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi. 2001 ‘Nawa Vital Link 2000’ Kyoto, a collaborative Installation Programme at Japan 1993 Cultural Dept. Japan & Shimin Giako Assoc. Joint Exhibition at Kobe (JAPAN) 1993 ‘Refugee’, an International Exhibition, Rosrant, Germany 1993 International Art Biennale, Brasque, Santa Catarna, Brazil 1992 Global Forum , Shimane Artists Conference, Japan 1992 Silver Jubilee Exhibition, Birla Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata 1992 Bharat Bhavan Biennal, Bhopal 1992-93 ‘America’, an International Exhibition, at Brazil 1987 Sao-Paulo-International Biennal, Brazil 1986 6th Triennale 1986 Moscow-Veteran Artists of India Honours and Awards 2007 ‘Kala Ratna’, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. 1984 Veteran... 2007 ‘Kala Ratna’, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. 1984 Veteran Artist’s honor by All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi. Elected the Fellow by Rajasthan Lalit Kala Academy 1988 National Award by Lalit Kala Akademy, New Delhi 1983, 1986 & 1990 All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi. 1978-79 Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar 1960,61,63,64,65,68 Rajasthan Lalit Kala Academy Read More Read Less Read Less
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