ETERNAL LOVE

Born in 1975, Prakash Deshmukh studied at the Rajarshi Shahu Mahavidyalaya, Latur, Maharashtra, graduating from the institution with a Bachelor’s degree in 1995. He followed it up in 1999 with a Diploma in Art (Drawing and Painting) from the L.S. Raheja School of Arts, Mumbai. In 2000, Deshmukh also completed a Diploma in Art Education from Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya, Pune.

Deshmukh works primarily with acrylics on canvas; and women are often a preoccupation. Drawing from classical portraiture, a single figure often forms his object of study. Rendered with great attention to detail, Deshmukh’s women have simple yet well-defined features. His stylization is not ordinary; large expressive eyes, full lips and sharp noses are often a hallmark of his paintings. His demure, self occupied subjects are often dream-like, inhabiting a world of their own imagining. They are one with nature, with foliate motifs in vibrant colors lacing the background of the paintings. The landscape is idyllic and the women are often extensions of it. Although a sense of abandon engulfs his work, there is no sign of frenzy; Deshmukh’s work is about the calm and the lyrical; a celebration of existence in its simplest and happiest moments.

Deshmukh has had a solo exhibition at Art Entrance Gallery, Mumbai, in 2005; and another titled ‘Lyrical Symphony’ at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2009. His work has been a part of group exhibitions at Gallery Artchill, Jaipur; Vinnyasa Premier Art Gallery, Chennai; and Kanchan Art Gallery, Jaipur. His pieces were also featured in the ‘Exhibition of Indian Contemporary Artists’, Singapore, in 2008, and he has participated in ‘Art Access Week’ presented by Vinnyasa Art Gallery, Chennai, in 2008; ‘Chatak’ at the Nehru Centre, Mumbai, also in 2008; and the ‘Monsoon Show’ presented by Legacy Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2007.