Devyani J. Parikh

DATE OF BIRTH: 27-Nov-1941. QUALIFICATIONS: Self taught artist MBBS DA (Bombay University) Retired as Medical Director of Central Railway. Devyani’s association with art started with her childhood, where used music records, pebbles, earthen pots and the floor became the medium on which she expressed her creativity. Form and colour ran riot as she experimented with semi precious stones, charcoal, wood shavings, glass beads, leaves, straws, mica and other natural substances, giving expression to her innate imagination. By profession Devyani was a doctor (anaesthetist) who has worked for more than three decades. She retired gracefully in 2001 as the Medical Director having achieved the laurel of getting the Best Railway Hospital shield under her leadership. Devyani exhibited her works way back in 1974 through an exhibition at the Jehangir Art Gallery. Appreciation came her way through the publication of her painting alongside those of Raza and B Prabha in 1976 , selected from over 800 entries, in the prestigious Bombay Art Society’s Journal. 2001 onwards, she has been able to devote more time and return to her creative urges by releasing a series on Boats – Indian boats from Kerela, Kashmir, Calcutta, Maharashtra as also from China, NZ, Venice, Switzerland, South East Asia all culled from observation and inspiration derived from forms. Currently her series on the Buddha merges brush styles, textures and media; lending a dimension of spirituality. The essence of panchsheel and meditative silence interspersed with the abstraction of vipasana as well as the reality of life and nature is seen in her paintings. Devyani believes that a good painting on the Buddha should be able to bring out tranquility, serenity and peace on the face. Buddha paintings look good not only as decorative items but also add a touch of character to the home / office. Devyani has represented the Buddha as a sign of ‘ultimate peace’ and all her paintings have an inner meaning. Devyani continues her journey exploring the reality of form and the effervescence of the abstract through her representations on canvas. Her solo exhibition in Mumbai in 2005 found favour with collectors from India, Dubai, Singapore, UK, USA. Many of her paintings have also been sold through the internet.

HIGHLIGHTS: Her painting was selected by NGO, and sold by “CHRISTIES AUCTION ” at Malaysian High Commission, at New Delhi, Feb 2009 Eminent Adv. Co. selected & filmed her doing painting for “International Adv. Festival” at Cannes, France, 2009 Her painting was selected for “INDIA SUMMIT 2008” at New Delhi, 2008 Painted for NGO for “JUNIOR ON CANVAS” with Sushmita Sen’s, Goenka’s Piramal’s and Vinit Jain’s children In 1976, her painting was printed in “BOMBAY ART SOCIETY’S JUORNAL”, along with those of “RAZA and B PRABHA”. Out of 800 paintings, 150 were exhibited at Jehangir art gallery and only 6 were printed in the journal. Solo Shows : “Gallery ZBL” VT Mumbai 2005 Art Walk Gallery, Oberoi 2006 Resham Bhavan 2006 Mandvi Bank 2007 River Art Gallery Mumbai 2007 Museum Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda 2008 Citi Bank, Nariman Point, 2009 Participation : Bombay Art Society Exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery 1974. Jehangir Art Gallery – International women’s year 1975 Bombay Art Society Exhibition 1976. Photograph of painting printed in Journal of 1976. All India Railway Painting competition at New Delhi Participated at “Monsoon 2005” & 2006 at Bajaj Art Galler Hotel Taj President – Group show – “Shaila 2003” Selected : Concern India Foundation’s Monsoon show – Artist Centre 2006 “Weekend Monsoon show” by NGMA and CoHo at Hotel Marine Plaza – Marine Drive, Mumbai Group Exhibitions by “India.net” Group Show at Travancore Art Gallery Connaught Place Delhi Group Show at Art Desh Gallery MumbaTook part at “Kala Ghoda Festival 2006” through “Tao Art Gallery” curated by Kanchi Mehta Selected for Chatak 2007 at Nehru Centre 2007 Group Exhibitions at “Gallery Art Resource Trust” Nariman Poin Group Show at D D Neroy art Gallery in 2008 & 2009 Exhibition at French Consulate under aegis of NGO “Khushi” in 2008 ;Paintings exhibited at “India Art Summit” Delhi 2008 Participated in Kala Ghoda Festival curated by “Art Desh” in Feb 2009 Group show at Chandigarh March 2009 Group show at Tradition & Jehangir Art Gallery 2009 Awards : Bombay Art Society Exhibition (1976) All India Railway Exhibitions (Delhi) Collections Collections with many individuals, Hospitals and Corporates in in India, USA, UK, Dubai, Singapore.