C DAKSHINAMOORTHY

Born in Tamil Nadu in 1943, C. Dakshinamoorthy is renowned in India and abroad for his captivating sculptures in stone and individualistic style of painting. The artist graduated from the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, in 1966. Later, as a British Council scholar, he completed a post-graduation course in Advanced Printmaking at the Croydon College of Design and Technology in 1978.

Dakshinamoorthy is inspired by observing the people around him, particularly their unique pattern of behaviour, expression of moods, postures and gestures. His visual vocabulary derives mainly from Ayyanar figures and African sculptures, and is expressed in various media including different kinds of stones, ceramics and bronze. A versatile artist, Dakshinamoorthy also paints in mixed media, acrylics, crayons, watercolors and ink on paper and canvas.

The artist’s first solo exhibitions were held in London and Croydon in 1978, and he has since shown his work in cities like Buenos Aires, Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi. Amongst his honours and achievements are a National Award from the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, in 1986; the Mysore Dasara Award in 1972; and State Awards from the Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai, in 1963 and 1965