Abul Hisham's artwork intricately blends influences from the Safavid, Mughal, Rajput, and Deccani traditions, reinterpreted through a distinct expressionist style. His portraits and tableaux evoke an uncanny atmosphere, rich with riddles and
Abul Hisham's artwork intricately blends influences from the Safavid, Mughal, Rajput, and Deccani traditions, reinterpreted through a distinct expressionist style. His portraits and tableaux evoke an uncanny atmosphere, rich with riddles and phantasmagorical elements that invite viewers to delve into complex narratives.
While his scenes are often rooted in his native India, the figures frequently draw from diverse backgrounds, reflecting shared histories and the intricacies of hierarchy and power. His exploration of religious conflicts and caste systems highlights his focus on addressing critical contemporary issues.
For over a decade, Hisham has worked with dry pastel, describing the process as sculpting with dust. This medium resonates with the philosophical idea of humanity’s creation from and return to dust, a belief echoed in both Christian and Islamic traditions. The pigments he uses, sourced from mined minerals, further connect his work to the timeless cycles of creation and transformation.
Hisham's solo exhibitions, such as "Recitation" (2019) and "DOMINATION" (2010), highlight his evolving artistic vision. His involvement in significant group exhibitions, like "An Ocean in Every Drop" (2022) and "In the Land of Downside Up" (2019), showcases his engagement with wider artistic conversations. Through his captivating and thought-provoking pieces, Abul Hisham encourages viewers to reflect on the complexities of existence and identity in an ever-changing world.
Academics
MFA (Painting), S.N. School of Arts, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
BFA (Painting) Government College of Fine Arts, Thrissur, Kerala
Awards
Inlaks Fine Arts Award in 2013
Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy Scholarship for art student in 2010
Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy special mention award in 2009
Abul Hisham's artwork intricately blends influences from the Safavid, Mughal, Rajput, and Deccani traditions, reinterpreted through a distinct expressionist style. His portraits and tableaux evoke an uncanny atmosphere, rich with riddles and phantasmagorical elements that invite viewers to delve
Abul Hisham's artwork intricately blends influences from the Safavid, Mughal, Rajput, and Deccani traditions, reinterpreted through a distinct expressionist style. His portraits and tableaux evoke an uncanny atmosphere, rich with riddles and phantasmagorical elements that invite viewers to delve into complex narratives.
While his scenes are often rooted in his native India, the figures frequently draw from diverse backgrounds, reflecting shared histories and the intricacies of hierarchy and power. His exploration of religious conflicts and caste systems highlights his focus on addressing critical contemporary issues.
For over a decade, Hisham has worked with dry pastel, describing the process as sculpting with dust. This medium resonates with the philosophical idea of humanity’s creation from and return to dust, a belief echoed in both Christian and Islamic traditions. The pigments he uses, sourced from mined minerals, further connect his work to the timeless cycles of creation and transformation.
Hisham's solo exhibitions, such as "Recitation" (2019) and "DOMINATION" (2010), highlight his evolving artistic vision. His involvement in significant group exhibitions, like "An Ocean in Every Drop" (2022) and "In the Land of Downside Up" (2019), showcases his engagement with wider artistic conversations. Through his captivating and thought-provoking pieces, Abul Hisham encourages viewers to reflect on the complexities of existence and identity in an ever-changing world.
Academics
MFA (Painting), S.N. School of Arts, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
BFA (Painting) Government College of Fine Arts, Thrissur, Kerala
Awards
Inlaks Fine Arts Award in 2013
Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy Scholarship for art student in 2010
Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy special mention award in 2009
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions:
Abul Hisham', Marc Jancou Contemporary, The Art Kiosk, Rougemont, Switzerland in 2023
'Abul Hisham – Recitation', Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India in 2019
'Abul Hisham – New Works', Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India in 2014
'DOMINATION', Kashi Art Gallery, Kochi, India in 2010
Group Exhibitions:
'Yours Truly', Curated by Eleanor Cayre, Nahmad Contemporary, New York, USA in 2024
'Arbos', Lustwarande, The Netherlands in 2024
'Licked by the waves: New bathers in Art', Museum MORE, The Netherlands in 2024
'Mind Wandering Mind', curated by Marieke Folkers, Drawing Centre Diepenheim, The Netherlands in 2024
'Kindred Visions', Eduardo Secci Contemporary, Florence, Italy in 2024
Between grains of sand(salt), Gas9Gallery, Denmark in 2023
2023 Rijksakademie open studio 2023, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Royal Painting Prize show 2022 at Royal Palais Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 2022
An Ocean in Every Drop at JAMEEL ART CENTRE, Dubai, U.A.E in 2022
From the roots of a banyan tree, at Galerie Martin Van Zomeran, Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 2022
De Jacht, Group show at Galerie Deschans, Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 2022
Connection , Group show at Galerie Bart Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 2022
Rijksakademie open studio 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 2021
Group show at Rijksakademie project space curated by Antonio Vega & Isabella Cornaro, Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 2021
'Lokame Tharavadu', curated by Bose Krishnamachari, Alleppey, Kerala, India in 2021
'In the Land of Downside Up', curated by Nancy Adajania, Birla Art Academy, Kolkata, India in 2019
'Nine Painters from Kerala', Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India in 2018
India Art Fair, New Delhi, presented by Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, India in 2018
DWELLING, 10th Anniversary Show (Part II)', Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India in 2017
'Drawing Experience', curated by Avani Rao at Icon Art Gallery, Hyderabad, India in 2017
'Landforms' group show, curated by Kathleen Wyma at Gallery OED, Kochi, India in 2017
'Reviving the retinal' group show, Curated by Kathleen Wyma, Gallery OED, Kochi, India in 2015
'Art For Young Collectors II', Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India in 2013
'Hanging Terraces', Gallery Veda, Chennai, India in 2013
'Prepellers', Gallery Art & Soul, Chennai. Curated by Dr.Kavitha Balakrishnan, India in 2012
New Trends from South', Art Chennai Presented by Apparao Art Gallery, Chennai, India in 2012
'Art For Young Collectors', Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India in 2012
'Voices from Kerala', Apparao Art Gallery, New Delhi, India in 2012
'36 Degree C Group', Government College of Fine Arts, Thrissur, India in 2010
'SESTET', Chithra Kala Parishath Art Gallery, Bangalore, India in 2010
Kerala Lalit Kala Academy State Exhibition, Durbar Hall Arts Centre, Kochi, India in 2009
London Art Fair, Presented by Kings Road Art Gallery, London, UK in 2009
'Deep Sleep', Government College of Fine Arts, Thrissur, India in 2008
'What's wrong with that?' Durbar Hall Arts Centre, Kochi, India 2008
'Back Space', Dravidia Art Gallery, Kochi, India in 2007
Residency:
Residency at Rijksakademie from 2021 to 2023
Residency in 'What about art', Inlaks India Foundation, Mumbai in 2014
