How artist Paresh Matty has done his work around the world

Paresh Matty at work. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Last week, the world witnessed, once again, the famous artist Paresh Matty’s dedication to the craft he has made her own. He started his Cannes Film Festival at the age of 60 with the ‘Himalaya for the Indian Ocean’, which was unveiled on 18 May. This work demonstrated the breathing landscape of the Indian subcontinent.

Then, the affected Shalini Pasi wore a Manish Malhotra creation inspired by Paresh’s ‘longitude 77’. “Every thread, every thread tells a story. It is not just a couture, it is a canvas, which combines my love for art, fashion and India. It is grateful to represent our heritage on a global stage,” Shalini shared on Instagram.

Shalini Pasi at Cannes Film Festival in a Manish Malhotra gown, inspired by the art of Paresh Matty. Photo Credit: Courtesy: Shalini’s Instagram

Paresh’s ability to mix tradition with contemporary artistry, from Venice Bienle to Red Carpet, has closed audiences worldwide.

For Paresh, Cannes Film Festival is like an Olympics for films. “My art is always a celebration of energy and happiness. In Cannes, in that environment, I get enthusiasm and inspiration,” they say.

Paresh’s visit, from Purba Medinipur (West Bengal) to the Global Forum, is in the form of a will for their perseverance and ability to innovate. “I come from a lower middle class family, with no contact for art. When I was seven years old, I was introduced to art in school. I then knew that I would do this till the last day of my life. I started modeling and sculpture of clay, tried to make clay toys and sell them in village fairs. He used to sell huge saleswastas and kalis for the match.

Soon after, Paresh dubbed with water color. Known for his ability to experiment with styles and a crowd of media, Paresh has earned the title of ‘Turner of India’. His works are displayed in famous galleries and museums worldwide. “I use watercolors, oil and acrylic, often in bold colors and forms. I do not make canvas, the subject calls me. If it is a calm landscape, then my favorite medium is a watercolor, complex compositions require oil, acrylic and so on.

Paresh Matty sculpture in front of Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In his artistic journey, Paresh, who was given with the Padma Shri in 2014, has crossed the traditional borders, producing some important pieces of public art in India. His latest Victoria Memorial, Kolkata, has a surprising jackfruit sculpture. This eccentric and vibrant piece reflects Paresh’s ability to be contemporary and contact its roots.

One of his prestigious works is Bangura horse, a traditional symbol of rural Bengal. Paresh breathed a new life in this age-old figure, rebuilt images on them and marked their insignia.

Paresh often reminds of his days as an art school student, where he spent hours in experimenting with various media and styles. And, he continues to innovate – it is to use bells to create sculptures (a huge bull) or convert Bankura horses into a canvas for Bollywood portraits. He has also cuisted on interactive performances with Sarod artists Aman and Ayan Ali Bangash, and is known for painting the strains of Malhar, his father’s father Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

In 2024, in the 60th edition of La Bienell de Waynezia (Venice Art Bienle), who discovered the theme of ‘Foreignity’, Paresh was one of the 12 Indian artists who showed their work – his composition was the sculpture ‘origin’.