Hem Raj b. 1968

The Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation Annual Awards

As the art world vibrates with renewed energy amidst global economic challenges, the 33rd Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation Annual Awards for Upcoming Young Artists stands as a beacon of creativity and encouragement. Held annually at Dhoomimal Gallery, this flagship event continues to be a cornerstone in promoting and nurturing emerging artistic talent.

This year we intend to recap our journey through the past 30 years by showcasing some of the artists who have won this prestegious award and have made a impressionable impact



The Exhibition and Awards



Over the year the panel of jury, comprised of esteemed figures such as Anjolie Ela Menon, KS Kulkarni, Krishen Khanna, Niren Sen Gupta, Martand Khosla, Manisha GeraBaswani, Mithu Sen, Pallavi Khandelwal, Ranbir Kaleka among many established and respected names selected artists. Their dedication and focus in creating innovative and experimental works are commendable.



A Vision for the Future



The Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation’s annual awards are more than just an exhibition; they are a platform for aspiring artists to gain recognition and further their careers. The foundation provides four scholarships (on average) each year, supporting artists across various mediums. The jury for these awards has included many art luminaries such as K.S. Kulkarni, Krishen Khanna, and Anjolie Ela Menon.



As we mark the 33rd year of these awards, the foundation remains committed to its mission of promoting and nurturing young talent. Despite the evolving landscape of the art world, the foundation’s work is more relevant than ever. In response to the changing dynamics, we are also developing a digital repository to support and document our efforts, ensuring that the legacy of Shri Ravi Jain endures.



Looking Ahead



The Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation Annual Awards continue to inspire and support the next generation of artists, embodying Shri Ravi Jain’s vision of an ever-evolving and inclusive art community. We are excited to see how this year’s participants will shape the future of contemporary art and look forward to celebrating their achievements at the upcoming exhibition.

An Exploration of Linearity in South Asian from the 20th Century to the Present

Dhoomimal Gallery (est. 1936), the country’s oldest art gallery, which has had a long history of supporting many of India’s Modern masters, presents Lines (By) Lines (2 April – 15 May 2022), curated by Manmeet K Walia, an exhibition which showcases abstract art practices in the works of 29 leading South Asian and diaspora artists from the 20th Century to the present.

Through the prism of linearity and lines, the show explores how a diverse spectrum of modern and contemporary art from the region has explored abstraction, across painting, sculpture and multimedia art practices. Addressing the variation in narratives and approach to the language of lines over different ages, the exhibition also initiates a conversation between the social and artistic concerns of the mid-20th Century, when pre-independent India was first exposed to western influence, and South Asia’s contemporary culture.

The exhibition explores the works of some of the most iconic names in South Asian art, such as V.S. Gaitonde, S. H. Raza, J. Swaminathan, F.N. Souza, Nasreen Mohamedi, Zarina Hashmi and Mehlli Gobhai, alongside cutting edge multidisciplinary practices and site-specific installations by artists working at the intersection of art, architecture, textile design, sound and digital media.

South Asian contemporary artists showcased include Rana Begum, Gopi Gajwani, Shobha Broota, Parul Gupta, Shruti Mahajan, Rewati Shahani, Noor Ali Chagani, Niyeti Chaddha, Meghna Gavireddy, Purvai Rai, Al-Qawi Nanavati and Varun Desai amongst others.

The exhibition’s curator, Manmeet K Walia, has studied literature, and curation at Central St. Martins (London) and the Sotheby’s Institute. Shifting from a career in journalism, as a contributor to leading newspapers and magazines in India, since 2016 she has worked on multiple contemporary art exhibitions across digital and physical platforms.

“The show is designed to take the viewer on an exploration through time, presenting insights to the lives and works of artists from the subcontinent who have used linearity as a tool to respond to their times, to create languages and new worlds through their art” - Manmeet K Walia, Curator of Lines (By) Lines

“Dhoomimal Gallery has had a long history of being a meeting point for conversations about Indian art and Lines (By) Lines weaves a dialogue between many of the iconic artists in the gallery’s collection and contemporary voices. Our hope is that the show, and the talks planned with artists and curators, will offer a unique opportunity for diverse audiences to experience abstract art across a range of important artists” - Uday Jain, Director, Dhoomimal Gallery (DMG)