Vijay Belgave
Vijay Belgave’s art revolves around the theme of love and the pain of unfulfilled expectations. The love could be between a man and a woman, between two sisters or between a mother and a child. Born in Latur, in Maharashtra, Belgave has been greatly inspired by the simplicity of the rural life in his hometown, especially by its sensitive but strong women. He says: “you can see their pain and pathos coming across; the pain of several unfulfilled dreams.”
His paintings have wide expanses of blank space, the surfaces of which have innovative textures. A few abstract forms weave their way through this surface. The stylised figures eloquently convey the theme of love, through their subtle yet expressive gestures. Many of Belgave’s canvases are framed in raw wooden frames, made out of the window and doorframes of houses in his hometown of Latur.
Belgave is the recipients of numerous awards, including the Best Painter from the Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya in Latur, in 1992, a Merit Certificate from the Mudra Kalaniketan, Vashi, New Bombay, in 1995, and the Salaam Mumbai Prize from the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, also in 1995. He has a diploma in Drawing & Painting, and one in Art Education from the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai. He has had several shows of his works in Mumbai. He lives and works in Mumbai.
