19 March 2024/

TRANSCENDENTAL REALITY – THE ENIGMATIC MINDSCAPES OF U. VIJAY KUMAR

TRANSCENDENTAL REALITY – Solo Art Exhibition of renowned artist U. Vijay Kumar was inaugurated by Dr. K. Lakshmi, IAS, Managing Director, Sports Authority of Telangana State & Director, State Gallery of Art at Hyderabad on 16 March 2024. Dr. A. Nagender Reddy, IRPS, Former Director of Salar Jung Museum and Shri. Prakash Bal Joshi, eminent artist and author graced the function as Guests of Honour.

“Rooted in subjective experiences and reflections on the deeper layers of reality, U. Vijay Kumar’s artistic oeuvre is marked by a sophisticated visual language that invites deep contemplation and introspection. His artistic temperament is indeed rich and complex, offering a space for critical analysis that delves into the intricacies of his visual language and thematic explorations. Combining artistic skills and philosophy, he comes up with an inimitable visual vocabulary that is shaped by his education at MS University of Baroda. Further, his four-decade-long tenure both as a teacher and as a practicing artist testifies his constant engagement with the tumultuous nature of human existence and the structured portrayal of his imaginative exploration of metaphysical domains. For Vijay, these painted metaphysical realms are not mere idiosyncratic representations of nature but his inner chaos for existence,” says renowned art critic and artist Anand Gadapa, Hyderabad.

“Through his mysterious and thought-provoking imagery, Vijay explores themes of human existence, emotion, and interconnectedness, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationship with the natural world, and engages viewers in a dialogue that transcends the inevitable confines of the canvas,” explains artist Anand Gadapa, Curator of the Show.

Eminent artist U. Vijay Kumar studied Bachelors (1983) and Masters of Fine Arts (1985) at the prestigious M.S University of Baroda under the tutelage of K.G.Subramanian, Nasreen Mohammedi, Jeram Patel and Krishna Chhatpar.

He himself had a very long experience of teaching for nearly four decades at the Atomic Energy Central School, Hyderabad, a unit of the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India from 1986 till 2015.

He has conducted enumerable exhibitions all over India and abroad including at Hutheesing Visual Art Centre (1987), Ahmedabad; Max Mueller Bhavan (1987), Hyderabad; Shridharani Art Gallery (1988), New Delhi; Jehangir Art Gallery (1991), Mumbai; International Artist Grand Prize Competition (I.A.C.) at Art Revolution, Taipei, Taiwan; Rhythm of Thailand 2nd International Symposium Workshop, Phuket, Thailand; Survival International Art Festival in Cansoria Contemporary Art, Museum, Italy, International Art Workshop at Museum of Islamic Art, Helwan University , Cairo, Egypt; International Art Festival at National Gallery of Maldives; Pyramid Art Camp and Exhibition at Hurghada, Cairo, Egypt; Spirit of the Masai Mara Art Camp Kenya; India-Vietnam Friendship Art Workshop and Exhibition at Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and ‘Art on Wheels’ – A Friendship Exhibition of Paintings at Valikhodjaev Gallery, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Renowned artist U. Vijay Kumar has been honoured with several prestigious awards including ‘Gold Medal’ from H.A.S, Award in All India Youth Art Exhibition (1987) commemorating Jamin Roy Birth Centenary Year at Calcutta, Junior Fellowship (Visual Arts) by Ministry of HRD, Government of India (1995-97), Fellowship by Kansoria Centre for Arts, Ahmedabad (1985-87), ‘The Professional Studies Scholarship’ by HEH the Nizam’s Charitable Trust (1979-83), MSU’s merit scholarship, Andhra Pradesh State Lalit Kala Akademi’s higher education scholarship (1984-85). His art works adorn many prestigious galleries including Glenbarra Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan; Ministry of Tourism and WildLife, Kenya; Tips Art, Vietnam; The Embassy of India, Egypt; National Gallery of Modern Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Art Heritage, New Delhi and Hutheesing Visual Art Centre, Kanoria Centre for Arts, Ahmedabad.

U. Vijay Kumar’s first Solo show was held at Hutheesing Visual Art Centre, Ahmedabad and the group show was held at the first World Telugu Conference in 1975.

Recently he was felicitated by Hyderabad Art Society and Exhibition Society with the ‘Award of Honour’ on the occasion of 83rd All India Annual Art Exhibition.