Rajkumar and Shantibai at 2^nd Yinchuan Biennale

Rajkumar and Shantibai are represented in the 2^nd Yinchuan Biennale, curated by Marco Scotini with curatorial team of Andris Brinkmanis, Paolo Caffoni, Zasha Colah and Lu Xinghua.    

Rajkumar and Shantibai present one of their Khambhas each (Memorial Pillars) in wood. Both Rajkumar and Shantibai have written about their works, expressing their concerns with the changing ecology due to the mining and other development projects going on in Chhattisgarh changing the ecological balance of the region impacting their social, economic and cultural life. There is also an issue of state administration colluding with the corporates to bypass environmental and other regulatory issues in place.

Rajkumar was born in 1972, Bastar district, Chhattisgarh. He trained under Master Craftsperson Raituram and has been part of the Dialogue Interactive Artists Association (DIAA) since inception. His works have been shown in Museums, institutions and galleries. Some of his select shows include: Not under Great Law, not under Sacred Law, curated by Navjot Altaf at The Guild, Alibaug;  Edge of Desire: Recent Art in India, curated by Chaitanya Sambrani that travelled to Perth, New York, Mexico City, Monterrey, Berkeley, New Delhi and Mumbai (2004-2007); Solo exhibition at Sakshi Gallery, 2007 and group show Sculptures and Paintings – artists from Kondagaon, Bastar, 2004 and Modes of Parallel Practice: Ways of World Making – phase II, Sakshi Gallery, 2001; Modes of Parallel Practice: Ways of World Making, Phase 1, Sakshi Gallery Mumbai and Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, as part of First Asian Art Triennale Fukuoka, Japan, 1998-1999; Nalpar, site oriented sculptural structures, co-operative project with Navjot Altaf, Shantibai and Gessuram, supported by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), 2000-02; Self Exploration, Interactive project at Shilpi Gram with others, supported by IFAD, 2000-02; Collaboration as a Strategy in Indian Contemporary Art, collaborative project, Nalpar and Pilla Gudi with others and supported by IFAD and IFA, India Foundation for the Arts, 2000 -04. Rajkumar has been participating in seminars Samvad 1, 2 and 3, at DIAA, and has been organizing community activities since 2003. His works are in many important private collections including Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan.  

Shantibai was born in 1960, Bastar district, Chhattisgarh. She trained under Master Craftsperson and husband Raituram and has been part of Dialogue Interactive Artists Association (DIAA) since inception. Her works have been shown in Museums, institutions and galleries. Some of her select shows include: Not under Great Law, not under Sacred Law, curated by Navjot Altaf at The Guild, Alibaug; Sculptures and Paintings – artists from Kondagaon, Bastar, 2004 and Modes of Parallel Practice: Ways of World Making – phase II, 2001, Sakshi Gallery; Modes of Parallel Practice: Ways of World Making, Phase 1, Sakshi Gallery Mumbai and Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, as part of First Asian Art Triennale Fukuoka, Japan 1998-1999; Nalpar, site oriented sculptural structures, co-operative project with Navjot Altaf, Rajkumar and Gessuram, supported by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), 2000-02; Self Exploration, Interactive project at Shilpi Gram with others, supported by IFAD, 2000-02; Collaboration as a Strategy in Indian Contemporary Art, collaborative project Nalpar and Pilla Gudi with others and supported by IFAD and IFA, India Foundation for the Arts 2000-2004. Shantibai has been participating in seminars Samvad 1, 2 and 3, at DIAA, and has organized art workshops for children since 2003. Her works are in many important private collections including Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan.