User:Dineshdoshi

Dinesh Doshi - Artist, Melville New York. His first exhibit in 1971 was a one person show at the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai. He went on to sell out this exhibit, and was well reviewed in numerous important Bombay publications and newspapers. Then, at 25, he moved to New York where he continues to live and create his art. From this varied and well traveled past has emerged his unique sense of himself and the world. Dinesh’s strong use of color and movement represent his life, dreams, fears and aspirations - in stirring and impassioned works. He often looks inward to explore a subjective expression of personal truth.

2013 He is exhibiting his oil on canvas works in Chelsea NYC

“Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision.” – Ayn Rand

Indeed, artists are a conduit of emotion. They harness raw emotion and translate it so that it can be reinterpreted through the human eye. My journey has been a long one. Over the course of the last fifty years, I have torn down my interior walls piece by piece so that I could present my interpretations with truth and dignity. As a result, I have created scores of oil-on-canvas works that serve as a vehicle for my art; my vision.

Painting has always been an important aspect of my life, continually delivering me great joy and allowing for accolades.

Let’s take a few steps back before moving forward. He was born in Africa, in 1949 and spent my first decade in Africa. At the age of thirteen, I began studying in Bombay, India where I discovered a passion and proclivity for artistic expression while attending a “hobby” class. It was at this private school that I learned about various applications and processes related to art and architecture. At the age of sixteen I decided that I would focus on Art. It would take years, however, for my destiny to be realized. As it is written, “a journey of a thousand steps begins with one.”

India would be my home for the next eleven years, seven of which I spent studying architecture and design. I continually painted during my free time and began to implement my love for color and contrast into my paintings. Looking back, I received very structured architectural training in school but spent every spare minute on my art or studying the varied works of master artists. This was an interesting balance because painting provided freedom while academics kept me focused. To the end, I struck a balance within myself.

While I kept my passion for painting close to my heart over the years, I had a family to raise, a mortgage to pay and a business to build. Now, my three lovely children are grown. My once hectic travel itinerary and family obligations has been reduced thus allowing me to once again turn my focus and energies toward art and architecture.

I was once humbled by accomplishments. Today, I’ve learned to embrace accomplishments as mere mile markers. For example, my art was recognized on a grand scale in June of 1971 when, my oil on canvas paintings were selected to be presented at the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery located in Mumbai, India. To me, the real feather in my cap is the fact that I hold the distinction of being one of the youngest artists to be offered a one man show at the gallery, which holds equal weight to such U.S.-based institutions such as New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Before I was graced with privilege of presenting a one man show, I recall studying at the library above the Jehangir Art Gallery the works of Van Gough and his contemporaries who broke conventional artistic paradigms, which intrigued me and drove my own work. I never wanted a formal training in art, as I believed it would restrict my creativity.

As I study some of my early paintings that adorn the walls of my home, I’m continually amazed that these varied interpretations completed so long ago still influence my approach to design concepts, and ultimately fuel my passion to continue to paint and explore my interior self. Conversely, it has also influenced my creative approach toward my architecture practice.

Painting as a medium has always excited me. My upbringing, however, was calculated. My destiny in many ways was laid out for me, and in some respects, as is the case with many Indian families; I was obeying the rule of law handed down by my parents.

Before settling on architecture as my professional career path, I spent ten months in London doing absolutely nothing; at least from a professional perspective, although I would occasionally visit the Royal Institute of British Architects. My wife worked and I would accompany her to work in the morning, read thought-provoking books by such compelling authors as Thomas Blair, meet her for lunch and continue with my readings until it was time for me to accompany her home.

I became apathetic as I searched for my place in this world. I longed to return to India where I enjoyed a varied artistic career. Aside from my paintings, I was busy with architectural endeavors, interior design work as well as holding an advisory position with the Indian National Theatre. In this capacity I was responsible for providing the final critique for set and wardrobe designs. In London, however, I was without these expressive mediums and was avoiding the next step in my life which was continuing with my education.

One day a friend of the family approached me and said in no uncertain terms that I needed to work. This wasn’t a discussion, but more so a directive. He provided me with an address where I would find work. At this point I had a degree but allowed myself the freedom to pursue this job whatever it may be. I did not inquire but rather accepted his offer. I arrived at the address and was asked to take a seat in a large room. I was given a number and was instructed that when that number was called that I would walk through a corresponding door. In time the number was in fact called. I walked through the door and was guided and placed into a white van. Once I was seated the van sped off to an unknown destination. Looking back, the situation was a blank canvas: I was simply one of many colors in the palette of life. The universe held the paintbrush.

I opened the door to find myself in a factory setting. I was given a white jumpsuit to wear and was guided by a foreman through this noisy, dark building. Eventually we came to a room and through the noise, haze and bewilderment; I realized this was a Matchbox car factory. Countless little cars were passed on to us on conveyor belts waiting for painting or pin-striping. In life, they say there is an “Aha” moment, this was mine. I continued there for seven days, quite perplexed. I was instructed to complete many tasks including painting outdoor shelving units. It taught me the value of money and how blessed I had been upto that point in my life.

My apathy was soon transformed into passion for creative experience. While it may be hard for some people to understand, in India, when you come from a certain type of family, certain jobs are deemed suitable or inappropriate. For me, the factory job would fall into the latter category. I learned, however, an invaluable lesson about hard work.

Shortly after this time period, my wife and I moved to New York. The transition was difficult and I recall listening to the music of Felix Mendelssohn whose symphonies mirrored the pain and absence of joy that I was experiencing. In time these feelings passed. I graduated with a master’s degree from the Pratt Institute of Architecture and City Planning. As I assimilated into the American culture, a slow and somewhat learning process, I was both intrigued and impressed with the American work ethic and the opportunities I was offered. Hard work and perseverance indeed paid dividends. All the while, during reflective, intimate moments, my paint brush would dance and bounce on canvases both large and small. In time my portfolio grew.

In the 1980s, a local country club commissioned me to complete 10 paintings depicting various musicians that would adorn the club’s walls. These paintings were completed during the part of my life I refer to as “Pioneering.” I took thirty days off to do these paintings. However, it wasn’t until the twenty-seventh day that I began to feverishly paint day and night. Over the course of the next three days I completed the collection of the ten musicians.

When I delivered the collection, I made a deal with the owner that one day I would have the right to buy back the paintings, which I did a few years ago. The owner, an Irishman, was so taken with the painting of the bagpiper that he offered me a great deal of money but I could not separate the group of musicians. To me, these characters, and paintings, are brothers and sisters and cannot be split.

Looking through my collection presented on the web, I realized that my works fall into various times of my life’s development and phases:

• 1960s: Developing life • 1970s: Enjoying life • 1980s: Pioneering life • 1990s: Absorbed in life • 2000s: Observing life

All featured paintings are available for both sale and reproductions. For more information, please contact... DineshDoshi.com