Akash Choyal, the first artist to use triographics in Indian contemporary art, is part of the ongoing Jaipur Art Festival at Shilpagram, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur. Normally, 3D illusionistic visuals are viewed through specific spectacles but Akash’s triographs are viewed without the spectacles.
A recipient of National Akademi Award (Lalit Kala), and three times State Lalit Kala Akademi award, Akash has also been awarded research grant by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi and senior fellowships by Ministry of Art & Culture, Government of India. His art has been exhibited at Venice Biennale, Shimin Hai ko, Kobe, Japan, print Biennale, Britain, and he has his shows at the Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, Dhoomimal Art Centre, N. Delhi, and at the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.
He is the third generation artist from the family of Choyals in Rajasthan. His father Shail Choyal, mother Surjeet Kaur and grandfather P.N. Choyal are well acclaimed names in the art fraternity of India. His father and grandfather were students of Slade College of Art, London.
Globally well acclaimed, Akash has worked on different mediums like fiber constructions, etchings, paintings, papier-mâché, paperboards, triographs, video art, sculptures and installations, etc, demonstrating his excellence in a wide range of materials and medium.
At the Jaipur Art Festival, he is displaying his famous 3D artwork titled, “Marathon for the key”, in size 36×23 inches. “I believe life is a theatre; I love to use the theatre stage as model for constructing my pictures, sometimes following European Mannerism and Baroque. I believe the power of art lies in the fictional quality”, says the artist.
“The scenario in Marathon for the Key is laid down for the presentation of a peculiar situation but my theatrical form is deliberately configured. In this picture you find a row of human figures dashing towards the key with protruding hands, accentuating variety of contours and abruptly, emerge a space defining dramatic gestures, illustrate an exoteric narration, a narration that is my dream fantasy. The key symbolizes this ultimate and we are in narration to reach this ultimate. The use of overlapping drawings has been my forte through which I embroider and endow my apparition. Sharp-focus clarity in my predominantly black and white works in its sharp-cut human figures and the optical trick presented through the 3 D device gives metaphysical meaning to my dreams that creep into my crystal scenes. I have also loved the use of chiaroscuro, light and dark elements, to emphasise the mysterious nature of truth-perceptions in the human psyche”, he adds, talking about his artwork on display.
The festival is on till Nov 22, 2021.
