In the tenth episode of Canvas Conversations for Abir Pothi, Sanyam Tak interviews the talented Delhi-based artist Gyanwant Yadav. Born in 1992 in Pratapgarh, U.P., Yadav has established himself as a notable figure in the contemporary art scene. He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Fine Arts from the Delhi College of Art, University of Delhi, completing them in 2017 and 2019, respectively. In this episode, Yadav delves into the philosophy behind his abstract work, expressing how “a good art expression is not a slave to context.” His art spans a range of themes, capturing slices of life from rural to urban settings. Through bold boundary lines and textured imagery, Yadav’s works depict changing environments, field crops, village houses, and aged wall textures, reflecting the pulse of common life. Gyanwant Yadav has earned multiple honors, including the Certificate of Merit from the College of Art (2016, 2018, 2019) and the Sailaz Mukherjee Award in 2017. His artwork has been showcased in prestigious exhibitions, including the Annual Exhibition at the College of Art, Delhi, the All India Arts & Craft Society in New Delhi, Art and Mart in Khajuraho, the Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi in Chandigarh, and the Affordable Art Fair’s 4th edition by Art 35. In addition to his exhibitions, Yadav has participated in prominent workshops and residencies, such as the Student Biennale at Jamia Millia Islamia, the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa, and a residency at the Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA). He shares insights into his unique art practice, the mediums he employs, and the evolving inspirations that drive his creativity in this illuminating conversation.
