Chandigarh
30 June 2017
DIVYA AZAD
Under the helm of its new President celebrated artist Diwan Manna, Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi is turning a new leaf and starting afresh with host of interesting events.
Addressing a press conference at its Sector 16 office at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Manna announced that the Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi has introduced Fellowships for the first time with the Sohan Qadri Fellowship of Rs. 2,00,000/- for the year 2017.
Announcing the name of the first ever recipient of Sohan Qadri Fellowship by Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi, Manna introduced artist Jaswinder Singh from village Mehandipur, Tehsil Khanna, District Ludhiana, who has been selected after one to one interviews by internationally renowned artist and curator of Kochi Muziris Biennale Sudarshan Shetty.
Interview process involved going through the portfolios of the artists, looking at the original art works and knowing about the artistic, intellectual and craftsmanship skills of the artists. 21 artists from Punjab and Chandigarh applied for this Fellowship.
47 year old, Jaswinder Singh does his artistic practice in the discipline of Sculpture in his Studio in village, Mehandipur. He is a BFA and MFA from Govt. College of Art Chandigarh and has been teaching at various institutions including his Alma matter College of Art, Chandigarh. Most of his sculptures are in wood but he also works in stone and other mediums. Jaswinder has been commissioned to make some murals as well.
His biography, portrait and photographs of his artworks are attached with this press release).
This is the first time that Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi has started this Fellowship to promote and recognise talented artists of the State of Punjab.
The fellowship is aimed at providing talented artists a platform to continue their research to develop new ideas in their respective disciplines.
In its efforts to provide better facilities, platform and opportunities to the artists of the region, Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi is coming up with innovative ideas that would create an amiable environment for the development of arts and help sustain creativity. The Akademi is engaging with the art fraternity and art lovers at various levels to bring about a whiff of fresh air that would change the way we perceive, consume and relate to art.
The Fellowship is being sponsored by Sohan Qadri Foundation. Qadri was a well known artist of Punjabi origin having strong connections with his motherland. He received his art education from Government College of Art, Chandigarh and had many friends in Punjab.
His daughter Mrs. Purvi Qadri, who lives in Canada, has sponsored this Fellowship at the initiative of Diwan Manna, artist and President Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi.
The Fellowship is being given to an artist between the age of 30 to 50 years. Artists from various streams such as drawing/ painting/mix media / installations / photography / graphics-print making & sculpture applied for this Fellowship.
Artists Residing and or employed in Punjab and Chandigarh, were eligible for the fellowship. Selected artist would get rupees two lakh as fellowship during a period of one year.
