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Prashant Hirlekar

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"I believe in that precious and blissful moment when I am charged and I want to express something on a surface with the help of brushes and colours…It cleanses my mind and the pores of my body as if a metamorphosis."

Born in Mumbai in 1961, Prashant Hirlekar graduated from the Sir JJ School of Arts in 1981 with a diploma in Applied Art, and soon after that worked with some of Mumbai's leading advertising agencies and publishing...
Read More "I believe in that precious and blissful moment when I am charged and I want to express something on a surface with the help of brushes and colours…It cleanses my mind and the pores of my body as if a metamorphosis."

Born in Mumbai in 1961, Prashant Hirlekar graduated from the Sir JJ School of Arts in 1981 with a diploma in Applied Art, and soon after that worked with some of Mumbai's leading advertising agencies and publishing houses as an illustrator and art director. In 1991 Hirlekar decided to enter the world of fine arts and become a full-time painter in order to explore and give vent to his creative expressions. His first solo show in 1992, held simultaneously in Mumbai and Delhi, created waves in the art world, and thereafter this artist has enjoyed quite a unique position in Mumbai's art circles.

Hirlekar's eclectic themes, the satirical playfulness of his figures and his usage of bright colours evoke a magical feeling of enchantment in the viewer. His style represents a new beginning in Indian art, and he believes that no subject is unfit for his surfaces. Hirlekar left no stone unturned in the search for material and inspiration, and says, "I experimented on various imaginary themes like snakes and ladders, tree of life, fragrant soil, women, animals, fire, earth, water. Mythological themes like Kubera, Laxmi, Ganesha, Shiva etc and even themes from everyday life like 'darzi', saloon, workers, sadhus, billboard painters etc."

His great impulsiveness and need to express himself at the moment inspiration struck him was what led to his painting on so many different surfaces, that he himself cannot recall every object he has coloured. Also, canvas was not as easily available in his area of Virar as it was elsewhere. Today, in collaboration with Meher Bijlani, the owner of Artquest Ltd. and Gallery, Prashant has turned this instinctive and impulsive painting into a very lucrative art form aptly called 'objets d'art.' Bijlani supplies the artist with pieces of kitchenware, furniture or stationery like kettles, pots, coaster, cupboards, tables and even a car to paint on, and then markets them as utilitarian and affordable art.

Hirlekar, working almost twenty hours a day, in his studio produces objects coloured with vivid, screaming hues. Loud blues, reds or yellows comprise the background on which hover unmistakable motifs in his signature style including the green haired girls, peacocks, fish, and flowers.

Acknowledging this as the secret of his success, Hirlekar says he is not afraid of compromise. Taking the risk of failure in his stride at all times, Hirlekar enjoys the newfound, out-of-the-box freedom he enjoys as an artist today. The "spontaneity" he finds in this form of art allows his "energy to flow placidly" through the channels he desires and offers him great peace of mind. Hirlekar has even painted the human body once! Prashant Hirlekar, now having six one-man shows and more than fifteen participations in group exhibitions to his name, has won several awards for his unique brand of work. He currently lives and works in Mumbai.

Honours and Awards

1987 CAG Award for Line Drawing

1983 'Best Entry of the Year Award', Abhinav Kala Mahavidalaya, Pune

1983 1st Award for Best Water Color, Abhinav Kala Mahavidalaya, Pune

1983 1st Award for Best Pencil Drawings, Abhinav Kala Mahavidalaya, Pune

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