Bhuwal Prasad: Whimsical Lines: Urban refrain through tribal abstraction

Gallerie Nvya presents ‘Whimsical Lines: Urban refrain through tribal abstraction’, a solo exhibition by artist Bhuwal Prasad at Bikaner House, New Delhi. The exhibition, which runs from 4th – 9th April, 2025 at the Bikaner House, Center for Contemporary Art (first floor) and continues from 24th May-28th June 2025 at Gallerie Nvya, Square One Designer Arcade, Saket, seamlessly fuses indigenous Indian art with contemporary abstraction, creating a vibrant visual language rich in playful forms, bold lines, and dynamic textures that evoke both cultural heritage and modern expression.

The art of Bhuwal Prasad (b. 1987, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh) is a journey that transcends the conventional boundaries of abstraction and tribal art. His creative practice is a celebration of both cultural heritage and modern experimentation, blending influences from indigenous Indian art with the spontaneous freedom of contemporary abstraction. With a BFA from the Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU, Varanasi (2010), and an MFA from the College of Art, New Delhi (2012), Bhuwal's works have been exhibited internationally and have garnered significant recognition, including the Junior Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India in 2018. 

Bhuwal’s work emerges from a deep-rooted connection to his cultural origins. Inspired by the simplicity of vernacular art forms—where simple lines and geometric shapes hold great significance—he has created a distinctive artistic language that merges these traditional elements with the modern freedom of abstraction. His works, which include vibrant colours, bold lines, and fluid brushstrokes, are an exploration of both his inner world and his external environment. Through this process, he combines a certain wonder with the richness of India’s folk traditions, creating art that is playful, thought provoking, and full of life.

Bhuwal’s artistic journey may be influenced by the folk art of India and the simplicity and beauty of tribal art forms. These influences, whether from Warli, Gond, or from Khovar-Sohrai, such as the tribal art of Hazaribagh, remain integral to his work. However, his art is far from a direct emulation of these traditions. He infuses them with a modern sensibility, embracing abstraction and fluidity, creating a fresh visual language. His playful attitude is evident in every stroke, shape, and form he creates. His choice of materials, including corrugated cardboard, automotive paint, jute, and fibreglass, adds texture and depth, reinforcing the tactile nature of his works. The raw surfaces and sculptural elements in his mixed-media works invite the viewer to engage not only with the imagery but with the very essence of the materials, which contribute to the meaning and feeling conveyed by the works.

Yet, what truly sets Bhuwal apart is his ability to imbue his art with a sense of whimsy, and youthful exuberance. This playful spirit comes across vividly in his Urban Crowd Filled series, where abstract shapes form into familiar everyday objects—faces, birds, a telephone, a fish—suggesting a dynamic, bustling world full of life and energy. These works invite viewers into a layered experience, where each abstract element unfolds to reveal a new story. Just as in life, there is much more happening beneath the surface.

Bhuwal’s bold use of colour and rhythm is another hallmark of his practice. Whether he uses earthy tones or striking fluorescent hues, his compositions are marked by a dynamic interplay of shapes and lines. For example, In works like his four-panel piece with a dark green background and vibrant red, yellow, and blue accents, Bhuwal creates a complex visual world where motifs—whether from nature, human figures, or everyday life—emerge. This sense of rhythm and spontaneity recalls the ritualistic folk-art forms such as chowk and alpana, which often use simple, repeating geometric patterns and bright primary colours. Bhuwal's paintings echo these traditions: he paints white lines on dark backgrounds, further blurring the line between modernity and tradition.

In his early years at the College of Art, New Delhi, Bhuwal gained recognition for his expansive mural like paintings, which also carried the imprint of these traditional folk practices. His ability to translate these rural, time-honored forms into large-scale works on canvas caught the attention of both peers and critics, establishing him as a contemporary artist who had the potential to explore new artistic possibilities. Over the years, Bhuwal’s work has been showcased in numerous solo and group exhibitions in India and internationally. Through these exhibitions, Bhuwal has established himself as a powerful voice in contemporary Indian art, blending abstraction, cultural identity, and personal memory into a cohesive and evolving practice. His work continues to captivate audiences, transcending the boundaries of abstract art while grounding itself in the rich cultural fabric of India. Bhuwal’s approach to art is not merely about aesthetic creation but also a personal reflection of his worldview, one that emphasizes interconnectedness, play, and a deep respect for tradition. Whether through his playful experimentation with materials or his spontaneous approach to form, Bhuwal’s art serves as both a visual diary and an invitation to engage with the world in a deeper, more thoughtful way.

Bhuwal Prasad, born in 1987, Azamgarh, received his Master’s degree from College of Art, Delhi in 2012 and Bachelor’s from Faculty of Visual Arts BHU, Varanasi in 2010. Bhuwal Prasad is an award winning contemporary Indian artist. He was drawn towards drawing and sketching at a very young age and was encouraged by his family to pursue his passion. His unique style and his take on subjects quickly won him several accolades. The masquerades that people of tribal areas use to either camouflage with the forests or as a cultural and traditional ritual is the theme that the artist loves drawing. He makes them very vibrant colorful at times and yet at others, he just uses black and whites. Prasad’s work is expressionistic in nature and very striking. The bold strokes flow in automatic rhythms, capturing the mood and passion of the artist and innumerable minute strokes and daubing are created as a part of the central image as well as that of the background.