RAHUL DHIMAN

Rahul Dhiman, born in 1990, is a promising graphic printmaker whose work is deeply rooted in his personal experiences and daily surroundings. A graduate of the Government College of Art in Chandigarh, where he earned his MFA in Graphic Printmaking in 2014, Rahul’s art is a reflection of the world he encounters on his every day journey. His daily commute from Ambala to Chandigarh, which involved taking a local train and cycling to college, serves as the primary inspiration for his intricate prints. The faces he encountered, the fleeting landscapes outside the train windows, and the constant presence of railway tracks and carriages are recurring motifs in his work, forming a visual language that speaks of both struggle and aspiration.

Rahul’s first solo exhibition, *Kalayatra - A Journey of Graphic Prints*, held at the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Chandigarh, showcased his deep connection to the themes of movement, transition, and the passage of time. His prints, such as *Daily Route* and *When Track Meets Nature*, evoke the rhythmic undulations of railway tracks and the tension between nature and human-made infrastructure. Through these, Rahul explores the often-overlooked beauty in the mundane, finding a poetic narrative in the life of the common man, symbolized by the bicycle and the train. His work, rich in detail and imbued with earthy tones, resonates with the trials and dreams of everyday life, encapsulating both personal reflection and a broader social commentary.

A recipient of the prestigious ‘Sohan Qadari’ scholarship and various other awards, Rahul’s work is recognized for its technical skill and emotional depth. His prints, while grounded in reality, convey the artist's internal landscape, capturing moments of contemplation and desire, such as the figure of a young man waiting for a train in *Unlimited Dreams*. For Rahul, art is not just an aesthetic practice but a way to map his journey, to articulate his dreams, and to connect with others who find meaning in the quiet, everyday struggles of life. His work continues to evolve as he takes the first steps towards achieving his larger artistic aspirations.