Veer Munshi

Veer Munshi was born in Srinagar, Kashmir (1955). He acquired his BA from Kashmir University (1976) and BFA (Painting) from M.S.U Baroda (1981).

He has addressed a range of subjects in the course of his artistic career that spans for three decades, but exile remains his most fundamental condition and preoccupation. Munshi consistently used his art to reflect his anguish at the situation in his home state, his pain and struggle spilling over onto his canvass. Making a human rights statement rather than a political one, he has constantly sought to highlight the turmoil that comes with his separation from his heritage, and to highlight the increasingly narrow space that exists for culture and art in his state.

Munshi has held his solo shows, Encounter in 2006 by Art Alive Gallery in collaboration with India Habitat Center; also held shows in Mumbai twice in 1995 and 2004; New Delhi in 1992 and 2003; along with showing internationally in Scotland, Australia and Geneva in 1997, 1996 respectively. He has also participated in over 20 group-shows abroad and in India, to mention a few are: Exploring New Paradigms, at Art Alive, 2005, 11th Asian Art Biennale, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Looking Back Looking Forward in Baroda, 2004; Ways of Resistance in New Delhi, 2002 and Trembling Images of Kashmir, in New Delhi, 1993. Munshi has also been designing tableaux for the Republic Day parade and was awarded for best-designed tableaux in 1997, 1999 and 2002. He actively participates in workshops – in India and abroad. He has been honored with Krishan Ju Razdan Puruskar by Vichar Manch, New Delhi in 2003; National Award from Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi in 2002, J& K State Award for painting in 2001. He has received Junior Fellowship from Government of India in 1996-98 and Research Grant Fellowship from Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi in 1991-92. He was the founder member of global topic English magazine published in Kashmir in 1989 and an active member of ATHWAS(Kashmir youth interactive organization) in 1995. He was honored with senior fellowship and the National Award from Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

His showcase with us is titled Musketeers, an Acrylic on Canvas made in 2018/19.