Dr. M S Murthy
Dr M S Murthy was born in 1960 in Bengaluru. He is an artist, muralist, sculptor, and author. He holds a Diploma in Fine Arts & Modelling from the Karnataka Chithra Kala Parishad and a Doctorate from the Kannada University, Hampi, Karnataka.
Dr. Murthy has served as the Chairman of the Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy from 2015 to 2017. His works can be found in several public and private collections in India and abroad, including the National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi, Alliance Francaise, Bengaluru, and the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bengaluru.
Dr Murthy has held more than 25 solo exhibitions all over India. He has also participated in State, National and International exhibitions. In 2003, he won the International Biennial Award from the Iran Academy of Arts; in 2006, he won the Karnataka Sahithya Academy Award for his essay collection DesiNagu. In 2010, the Government of Karnataka honored him with Rajyotsava Award for his achievement in the field of art. In 2017, Government of Karnataka Awarded the Lifetime achievement Award - Varnashilpi Venkatappa Prashasti. He was the Chief of Academic Council at the Jain College of Visual Arts, Bengaluru. He has presented papers at art seminars, curated art shows, and served as jury member for various state and national art exhibitions.
Murthy has a varied art practice ranging from sculptures and paintings to murals inspired by the Ajanta and Ellora. He has worked with multiple subjects in his oeuvre to arrive at the one he presently devotes himself to i.e. Buddhist practices. He has explored one simple object, a bowl in this series. Calming swathes of colour on the canvas that are unencumbered by the weight of objects give the surface a new flatness that vibrates and breathes. Gestural abstraction and broad brushstrokes define these works that are paintings of pure thought and emotion. Dr Murthy’s works are elegant and harmonious, engaging the viewer in a sort of spiritual meditation.
Murthy lives and works at his studio Bhoomi – The Centre For Artists, Bengaluru.
His work displayed at the exhibition is titled The Bowl, an acrylic on canvas made in 2018.
