RAJESH DEB

Rajesh Deb, born in 1979, is an artist whose work is deeply informed by the socio-political context of Bengal in the 20th century. His art reflects a profound engagement with history, culture, and humanism, drawing from the region's traumas, rich cultural heritage, and the potential for a more tolerant future. Deb’s artistic journey is also shaped by the global art movements of the 1990s, particularly the influence of the Young British Artists (YBAs), whose rebellious and sensational approach to art making resonated with his own desire to challenge conventions and use art as a tool for dialogue and change. While his works are often dark, satirical, and filled with critical reflections on contemporary society, they also offer alternative narratives of tolerance and mutual understanding, seeking to bridge divides and open new possibilities for the future.

Deb’s series *Testimony of Tolerance*, which includes powerful woodcut prints, was created in response to incidents of religious and political violence in India, such as the killings of prominent public figures like Mohammad Akhlaq, Narendra Dabholkar, and M. M. Kalburgi. His art reflects on the themes of intolerance and barbarism in modern society but moves beyond mere criticism to offer a vision rooted in the humanistic traditions of figures like Hafiz, Kabir, Baba Farid, and Guru Nanak. Through his woodcuts, Deb juxtaposes historical and contemporary figures, such as the civil rights leader Martin Luther King and the Vietnamese folk hero Nguyen Van Troi, to encourage a dialogue that transcends time and context, presenting the possibility of a different future shaped by the lessons of the past.

In addition to his woodcuts, Deb’s practice spans multiple mediums, including sculpture, watercolours, and books, which combine politics, literature, and art. His watercolours, such as *Ma Tujhe Salaam*, are inspired by the films of Sadat Hasan Manto and Ritwik Ghatak, exploring the intersection of cinema and visual art. Through his books, Deb weaves together popular and comic idioms to narrate the complexities of the human condition, further enriching the multi-dimensional nature of his work. Whether working in printmaking, sculpture, or painting, Deb sees visual art as a tool for communicating his view of the world, with an intent to disturb and jolt viewers out of the "nightmare of history" that continues to shape our present.

Deb completed his M.V.A. at Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata, where he honed his skills as a printmaker and visual artist. Over the years, he has participated in numerous prestigious exhibitions and workshops, including the Academy of Fine Arts Annual Exhibition, CIMA Gallery's workshop exhibition, and the National Exhibition in Mumbai. His contributions to Indian contemporary art have been recognized with several awards, including the University Gold Medal and the Nirad Baran Smriti Award. Currently based in Kolkata, Rajesh Deb continues to use his art to challenge, inspire, and provoke reflection on the world around us.