Baiju Parthan

BAIJU PARTHAN

Born 1956, Kerala, India

Parthan studied painting in Goa in the late 70’s when it was especially fashionable for Westerners to travel there on spiritual journeys. His education, therefore, was saturated in the world view of Western Art. This gives him a unique voice, and one that he’s struggled to come to terms with. Inspired by the movements of Impressionism, Expressionism, Cubism, etc, in the early 80’s Parthan claimed that he “felt like a missionary for Western art.” He took a hiatus from painting, studied comparative mythology in Bombay, and then returned to art a decade later. He has tackled diverse subjects, from hardware engineering to philosophy, and his studied perspective takes the form of digital media works and installations.

In his artist statement, he sums up his view: “Speaking of the present, I certainly hold the view that virtualization and relocation of our everyday social and economic transactions into virtual data space is the most important marker that identifies this present historic moment. Consequently, the art I produce currently addresses the dematerialization or erosion of tactility of the real, and its effect on our being and existence.”

Baiju Parthan secured his BFA from the Mumbai University, and has hence held successful solo exhibitions in Mumbai, New Delhi and Goa. He has also participated in major group shows in Calcutta, Mumbai, New York and other centers.

Education

2007 Masters in Philosophy, University of Mumbai
1991 Postgraduate Diploma in Comparative Mythology
1978-83 Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting), Goa College of Art, Goa
1976 Bachelors Degree in Botany