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

Known for

Artist, Sculptor
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
Group Shows

1945
Contemporary Sculptures Exhibition, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Chennai, India

1957
National Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India

1959
Participated in International Art Exhibition, West Germany

1962
National Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India

1962
Commonwealth Art Exhibition, London, UK

1972
25 Years of Indian Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India

1978
Coimbatore, India

1980
Silver Jubilee Exhibition of Sculpture, Organised by Lalit Kala Akademi all over India

1991
The Madras Metaphor, Organised by Ebrahim Alkazi, Art Heritage Gallery, New Delhi, India

2013
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, India

1980
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 &amp; INFRASTRUCTURE-BUILDING ACTIVITIES
1941-56
Joins the Faculty of Fine Arts, Government School of Arts, Chennai, India

1957-66
Head of the Sculpture Department, Government School of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, India

1961-68
Appointed Vice President, South Indian Society of Painters

1966
Vice President, Artists&#039; Handicrafts Association wherein the President was K.C.S. Paniker

1966
Founder Member, Cholamandal Artistsu2019 Village, Chennai, India

1967-71
Vice Principal, Government School of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, India

1968
President, South Indian Society of Painters

1968
Judge, selection of best pavillion, International Trade Fair, Chennai, India

1968
Selection and Judging Committee Member, National Exhibition of Art

1972-77
Principal, Government School of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, India

1980-82
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 Arts

1980
Fellowship conferred by Tamil Nadu Lalit Kala Akademi

1993
Member Executive Board and General Council, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India