The award comprising a cash prize of Rs. 2.51 lakhs, a silver shield and scroll of honour was presented to the distinguished artist to mark the 99th birth anniversary of Late Smt. Dayawati Modi.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Union Minister for Science and Technology, Government of India, felicitated Mr. Subodh Gupta with the award at an event held in the
capital at Sri Sathya Sai Auditorium, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
While congratulating Mr. Subodh Gupta, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “Mr. Subodh Gupta is not only a great artist but he has also put India on the international map in the field of contemporary art. What an Imagination, transforming ordinary looking cooking utensils into extraordinary form of art. We are all extremely proud of him and look forward to seeing more of his wonderful work. I also wish to thank the Dayawati Modi Foundation for its continuing and untiring efforts in recognizing the talent and work of gifted persons in the fields of art, culture and education. It is awards such as these that encourage the upcoming generation to make an effort to excel in their areas of expertise.”
The distinguished artist thanked the foundation for its support and said, “Awards always help creativity of the artist to grow as lot of effort is put in to deliver the best in front of you. I feel honored to have been chosen for this award which puts me on the same platform as distinguished celebrities such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mother Teresa, to name just a few. I thank all of you for believing in me. I am feeling motivated and determined about my work.”
Subodh Gupta was born in 1964 in Khagaul, Bihar, India. He studied at the College of Art, Patna (1983-1988) before moving to New Delhi where he currently lives and works. Trained as a painter, he went on to experiment with a variety of media, which culminated in his first installation in 1996 entitled ‘29 Mornings’.
Gupta is mostly known for working with everyday objects that are ubiquitous throughout India, such as the mass-produced steel tiffin boxes used by millions to carry their lunch, as well as thali pans, bicycles and milk pails.
From such ordinary items the artist produces sculptures that reflect on the economic transformation of his homeland while acknowledging the reach of contemporary art.
His stunning works were the focus of a major comprehensive show recently at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India (2014) and solo exhibitions at The Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany (2014) and Arario Gallery, Seoul, Korea and Shanghai, China (2014). Upcoming solo shows include ones at Hauser & Wirth, New York (2015).
He has been awarded the Chevalier dansl’Order des Arts et des Letters (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French Government in 2013. In recognition of his outstanding genius and significant contributions to Indian Art and Culture, the Dayawati Modi Foundation for Art, Culture & Education, has the privilege to bestow upon him the Dayawati Modi Award for Art, Culture & Education, 2014.
The noted artist joins the impressive list of previous awardees, which includes names like His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Amitabh Bachchan, late Jagjit Singh, Pandit Jasraj, Asha Bhonsle, Pandit Ravi Shankar, late Tyeb Mehta, Prof Lokesh Chandra, Dr. Karan Singh and Mr. Simon Beaufoy, noted British screenwriter, who wrote the screenplay for the movie Slumdog Millionaire.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Satish Kumar Modi, President of Dayawati Modi Foundation said, “It gives me immense pleasure to confer the Dayawati Modi Award on Mr. Subodh Gupta for his magnificent contribution to Indian Art and Culture. He is an amazing artist and I have tremendous admiration for his extraordinary work.”
About the award:
Dayawati Modi Award is among the highest cash awards in the country in the field of Art, Culture and Education. The award has been instituted by the Dayawati Modi Foundation for Art, Culture and Education of the Modi group in the memory of Late Smt. Dayawati Modi, wife of Late Rai Bahadur Gujar Mal Modi, founder of the Modi Group.
Late Smt Dayawati Modi was a great philanthropist and an educationist. The Foundation has established schools and colleges, libraries and hostels for students. It also seeks to spread the knowledge of Indian art and culture through cultural shows, exhibitions and seminars. The annual Dayawati Modi Award is a step in this direction and awards a person of eminence in the field of art, culture and education.
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