Manish Sharma
Manish Sharma (b.1978, Bikaner) works with the idea of nostalgia, evoked as a part of a person’s or community’s strong intentions to escape from the oppressive present and take
refuge in the memories of a golden past. However, the same notion of nostalgia could be a part of the political thinking of a creative person. Seen from the perspective of an artist, structuring forms that evoke political nostalgia is one of the possible ways of generating a socio-cultural and political critique. Manish’s art originates as a cultural and political critique not only on the administrative apathy of the local governing bodies but also on all those agencies that facilitate the cannibalisation of cultures all over the world through imperialistic incursions, economic proliferation and mindless modernisation. The manifestation of cultural roots in the long traditions of Rajasthan, especially around Bikaner, near his hometown are evident in the materials and ‘objects’ he creates. His new series of works are an outcome of interrogation into the idea of freedom during the pandemic from an extremely personal perspective. The initial idea of this work came from the artist spending a long time in a remote village of Karnataka. The secluded, isolated environment stimulated various thought processes which he believes are impossible in urban cities. Both philosophically and artistically, the body of works open new ways of understanding the space of isolation, the idea of desires and fetishisation of materials and expressions. In a sense, they are leaps of faith taken by the old at their weakest moment denoting strength, freedom of spirit and a sense of hope in the darkest hours. The series highlights that zone of human consciousness which presents itself, rather lucidly, a time of rare experiences and the knowledge based awakening such times generate. Manish completed his Bachelors of Fine Arts (Painting) from Rajasthan School of Art, Jaipur, Rajasthan (2000) and Masters in Fine Arts (Painting) from Faculty of Fine Arts, Rajasthan University (2002). Manish is represented by Art Centrix Space, New Delhi. His works have been part of numerous numerous exhibitions such as, ‘Anhad II’, Bikaner House, New Delhi (2025); India Art Fair with Art Centrix Space, New Delhi (2024); ‘Modern Fetish’, solo show at Art Centrix Space, New Delhi (2023); India Art Fair with Art Centrix Space, New Delhi (2023); 'Our Line in the Sand', Art Centrix Space, New Delhi (2022); India Art fair with Art Centrix Space, New Delhi (2022); ‘Episteme’, Art Centrix Space, New Delhi (2021); India Art Fair with Art Centrix Space, New Delhi (2019); ‘Arikamedu', Art Centrix Space, New Delhi (2018). ‘Vishvaroopa: The Form of the Universe’ at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata; ‘In Box, Srishti Art gallery, Hyderabad (2015); ‘Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Ojas Art, New Delhi (2012). Sharma was a participating artist in the ‘Pink City Art Project’ held in India and Korea. His works were also exhibited at the Jaipur Art Summit (2013), and in Budapest, Hungary (2009). His work was also featured in ‘Keep Drawing', Gallery Espace, New Delhi and Pundole Art Gallery, Mumbai. Manish was a recipient of the Junior Fellowship Award by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India in 2011, and the ‘National Award’ from Lalit Kala Akademi and the AIFACS, New Delhi in 2003. He also received the National Scholarship for the 2002 through 2004 from the Ministry of Human Resources, Department of Tourism and Culture, Government
of India, New Delhi.
Manish currently lives and works in Jaipur, India
Manish Sharma
Wood, 24ct gold leaf, acrylic and PU | 12 x 10.5 x 5 inches each | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Wood, fibreglass, brass, iron, acrylic and PU | 72 x 96 inches | 1 | 2023-24
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 12 X 12 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 12 X 12 Inches | 2022
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 12 X 12 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 12 X 16 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 12 X 16 inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 12 x 16 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 12 x 16 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 16 X 16 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 12 X 12 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 12 X 12 inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 16 X 16 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 16 X 16 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 16 X 16 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 16 X 16 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Acrylic on Canvas | 16 X 16 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Iron, Resin, Acrylic and PU | 66 X 38 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Iron, Resin, Acrylic and PU | 38” dia | 2023
Manish Sharma
Paintings
Gouache & Natural Pigment on wood | 60 X 108 inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Sculptures
Wood, Fiberglass, Acrylic and PU | 36 (H) x 21(Dia) inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Sculptures
Wood, Fiberglass, Acrylic and PU | 36 (H) x 21(Dia) inches | 1 | 2023
Manish Sharma
Sculptures
Fiberglass, Acrylic and PU | 4 x 19 x 9 inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Wood, 24ct Gold Leaf, Acrylic and PU | 11 X 14 X 5 Inches (set of 6) | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Wood, 24ct Gold Leaf, Acrylic and PU | 12 × 10.5 × 5 inches (set of 4) | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Wood, Iron, Acrylic and PU | 33 X 65 X 7 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Wood, Iron, Acrylic and PU | 43 X 58 X 7 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Sculptures
Wood, Cement, Iron, Fiberglass and PU pain | 26(H) x 60(L) x 14(W) inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Brass, White Metal, 24ct Gold Leaf, Acrylic and PU | 14 x 10 x 9 inches | Set of 5 | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Fiberglass, Iron, Acrylic, 24ct Gold Leaf and PU | 15 X 8 X 6 Inches | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Wood, Fiberglass, Iron and PU paint | 60 × 36 × 6 inches | 1 | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Wood, Fiberglass, Iron and PU Paint | 60 X 36 X 6 Inches | 1 | 2023
Manish Sharma
Installations
Fiberglass, Acrylic, Ash and PU | Variable | 1 | 2023
Manish Sharma
Wood, fibreglass, 24kt gold, PU paint, acrylic colour | 48 X 48 Inches | 2022
Manish Sharma
Wood, fibreglass, 24kt gold, PU paint, acrylic colour | 48 X 48 Inches | 2022
Manish Sharma
Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Paper | 60 X 36 Inches | 2022
Manish Sharma
24ct Gold on Fiberglass | Variable | 2021
Manish Sharma
Sculptures
Fibreglass & Wood | 14 x 13 x 13 inches | 2018
Manish Sharma
Sculptures
fibreglass & wood | 18 x 16 x 14 inches | 2018
Manish Sharma
Sculptures
fiberglass, mirror & wood | 47 x 37 x 22 inches | 2018
Manish Sharma
Paintings
24ct Gold Leaf & Acrylic on Paper | 45 X 68 inches
Manish Sharma
Fiber Glass, Wood, Acrylic, 24ct. Gold Leaf | 48 x 72 In