Bhimanshu Pandel

(b. 1995, Jaipur, Rajasthan)

“It was post this period, Bhimanshu felt a compelling urge to delve into the philosophical underpinnings of his identity and the humanistic values deeply ingrained in his cultural heritage, leading to his return to India in 2020. This return marked a period of introspection and deconstruction of his accumulated ideas and experiences. Bhimanshu's deep-rooted connection to his agrarian family background in rural Rajasthan became a source of inspiration. A visit to his native village sparked a creative exploration of dried weeds, transforming them into intricate drawings. This process not only connected him with his social realities but also led to a profound exploration of mood and identity. His interactions with the Bishnoi, Rebari, Bhopa-Bhopi, Gujar, Banjara, Charan, and other local communities unveiled a unique perspective on life, offering a lateral alternative to the conventional narratives. Through his visual explorations, Bhimanshu seeks to decipher and reinterpret the sacred plants and trees of these communities within a contemporary communal space, employing a ‘hauntological’ lens to view different folk traditions. This innovative approach not only re-evaluates the significance of these natural elements in today's context but also aims to preserve the collective memory of a community's socio-cultural values, deeply influenced by ageism and pre-colonial visual traditions. His works navigates the delicate intricacies of humanistic values and philosophical inquiries. Characterised by a unique blend of traditional and contemporary techniques, his works invites viewers into a contemplative dialogue on sociological, philosophical, and spiritual dimensions of life.”

Bhimanshu completed his BFA in Painting from Maharaja Saiyajirao University, Baroda (2016) and MFA in Glass from Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland (2018). Returning to India in 2020, he embarked on a journey to explore his cultural heritage and philosophical identity. This return marked a period of introspection and deconstruction of his accumulated ideas and experiences. His deep-rooted connection to his agrarian family background in rural Rajasthan became a source of inspiration. A visit to his native village, sparked an early exploration of dried weeds, transforming them into intricate drawings. His interactions with local communities such as Bishnoi, Rebari, Bhopa-Bhopi, Gujar, Banjara, Charan, and other local communities unveiled a unique perspective on life, challenging conventional narratives. Through his visual explorations, Bhimanshu seeks to decipher and reinterpret these traditions of communities within a contemporary communal space, employing a ‘hauntological’ approach to view different indigenous traditions. This approach reconsiders the importance of natural elementstoday and aims to safeguard the collective memory of a community’s socio-cultural values, shaped by ageism and pre-colonial traditions. His work blends traditional and contemporary techniques, inviting viewers into contemplative dialogues on life's sociological, philosophical, and spiritual dimensions. His recent exhibitions include, ‘Our Conspiring Hosts: of Rivers, Vines and Microbes’(2024), ‘Naya Anjor’,(2022) Anart Art, New Delhi, among others.

Bhimanshu currently lives and works in Jaipur.

Bhimanshu Pandel

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