
S. DHANAPAL
Born in Madras,Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India S. Dhanapal trained under sculptor-teacher D. P. Roy Chowdhury at the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Madras. He specialised in line drawing and impressionistic water colours but eventually chose sculpture as his medium. Dhanapal studied ancient Indian sculptures for their thematic divisions, techniques, iconography and iconometry, studying in particular the grammar of Chola, Pallava as well as Mathura sculptures of the Gandhara School. Classical sculpture and folk art have both inspired Dhanapal’s art. Massive and robust, his sculptures retain the fullness of a three dimensional form. He has experimented with various metals, terracotta and wood with a great command over each medium. His sculptures explore varied themes, ranging from the biblical and mythology, to nudes, portraits and narratives. Dhanapal became principal of the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Madras, in 1972. In 1962, he received the national award from Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. Lalit Kala Akademi’s regional centre in Chennai held a retrospective exhibition of his works in 2001. In 2007, an exhibition of fifty-two drawings of this artist was held at noble Sage Art gallery in London.
Features
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Known for
Artist, Sculptor
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Schooling / Education
1935-40 Diploma in Painting, Government School of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, India - Studied under the tutelage of D.P. Roy Chowdury ( Sculpture ) 1978 Took part in the All India Artist's Camp at Srinagar, organised by J & K Akademi of Art and Language, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, India 1979 Participated in All India Artist's Camp, at Ooty, organised by the Tamil Nadu Lalit Kala Akademi 1980 Took part in the Sculptor's Camp at Regional Centre, Chennai, India 1980 Artist's Camp at Tamil University, Thanjavur, India
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Group Shows
1945
Contemporary Sculptures Exhibition, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Chennai, India1957
National Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India1959
Participated in International Art Exhibition, West Germany1962
National Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India1962
Commonwealth Art Exhibition, London, UK1972
25 Years of Indian Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India1978
Coimbatore, India1980
Silver Jubilee Exhibition of Sculpture, Organised by Lalit Kala Akademi all over India1991
The Madras Metaphor, Organised by Ebrahim Alkazi, Art Heritage Gallery, New Delhi, India2013
The Naked and the Nude: The Body in Indian Modern Art, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi -
Solo Shows
2001
A Commemorative Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre, Chennai, India ( 14 - 28 August )2006-07
S. Dhanapal: The Draughtsman in the Sculptor, The Noble Sage, London, UK -
Awards And Achievement
1962
National Award ( Christ and the Cross ), Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India1980
Awarded Kalai Chemmal (Leader of Arts), Tamil Nadu Ovia Nunkalai Kuzhu ( Tamil Nadu State Lalit Kala Akademi ), Chennai, India -
Additional And extra details
SELECT TEACHING & INFRASTRUCTURE-BUILDING ACTIVITIES
1941-56
Joins the Faculty of Fine Arts, Government School of Arts, Chennai, India1957-66
Head of the Sculpture Department, Government School of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, India1961-68
Appointed Vice President, South Indian Society of Painters1966
Vice President, Artists' Handicrafts Association wherein the President was K.C.S. Paniker1966
Founder Member, Cholamandal Artistsu2019 Village, Chennai, India1967-71
Vice Principal, Government School of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, India1968
President, South Indian Society of Painters1968
Judge, selection of best pavillion, International Trade Fair, Chennai, India1968
Selection and Judging Committee Member, National Exhibition of Art1972-77
Principal, Government School of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, India1980-82
Awarded a two-year fellowship by the Government of India, Department of Culture, New Delhi, in recognition of his contribution in the field of Fine Arts1980
Fellowship conferred by Tamil Nadu Lalit Kala Akademi1993
Member Executive Board and General Council, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
Location
Contact Information
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AddressChennai, Chennai district, Tamil Nadu, India