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Mr Ramesh Nithiyendran

Mr Ramesh Nithiyendran

Lecturer

Master of Fine Arts (Research) UNSW, Bachelor of Fine Arts/Arts (Hons 1)

Arts, Design & Architecture
School of Art & Design

Sri Lankan-born, Sydney-based artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran creates rough-edged, vibrant, new-age idols. He experiments with form and scale in the context of figurative sculpture to explore politics of sex, the monument, gender and religion.

He has exhibited in various situations including the 2018 Dhaka Art Summit, the Encounters section for Art Basel Hong Kong, The 2016 Kuandu Biennale, The 2016 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, The Indian Ceramics Triennale and The National: New Australian Art 2017. He has presented solo exhibitions at various venues including the National Gallery of Australia, The Ian Potter Museum of Art. In 2014, Nithiyendran was awarded the 2014 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (emerging) administered through Artspace and Arts NSW. In 2015, he was the winner of the 2015 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award, Australia’s richest and premier award for artists working in the medium of ceramics. Recently, in 2019 he was awarded a Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship. This was a tax free grant of $160,000 to recognise his outstanding talent and exceptional professional courage.

He is regularly featured as one of the leading practitioners of his generation, being promoted to the public in a diverse range of print, online and television media related to art, culture and fashion. These have included: ArtAsiaPacific (Hong Kong), The Art Newspaper (London), Asian Art Newspaper (London) ABC Arts Makers, Junkee, 10Men, SBS Sexuality, SMH, SBS Lifestyle, Artsy, Al-Jazeera, Australian Art Collector Magazine, GQ and Broadsheet. His work is held in various collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, The Art Gallery of South Australia, The Art Gallery of Western Australia, The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Artbank, The Ian Potter Museum of Art and the Shepparton Art Museum.  Nithiyendran is represented by Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney + Singapore.

www.ramesh-nithiyendran.com

instagram: rams_deep69
E-mail
ramesh@unsw.edu.au
  • Book Chapters | 2022
    Nithiyendran R, 2022, 'Performing Materials and Process', in Babington J (ed.), RAMESH, Thames & Hudson Australia, Australia, US and the UK, pp. 26 - 37, https://thamesandhudson.com.au/product/ramesh-the-genre-defying-sculptures-of-contemporary-artist-ramesh-mario-nithiyendran/
  • Creative Works (non-textual) | 2023
    Nithiyendran R, 2023, Idols of Mud and Water, Idols of Mud and Water, Tramway, Glasgow, 24 November 2023 - 21 April 2024, medium: Installation, at: https://www.tramway.org/event/f094455e-7f4f-4579-91d9-b05100cb1cce
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2022
    Nithiyendran R, 2022, Double-Headed Quadruped, Ceremonial Head and Multi-Limbed Seated Figure, Frieze London, Frieze London, The Regent's Park, London, 12 October 2022 - 16 October 2022
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2022
    Nithiyendran R, 2022, Double-Sided Multi-Limbed Guardian, Amplify/Installation Contemporary, Carriageworks, 08 September 2022 - 11 September 2022, medium: Bronze, Plinths, painted steel. 196 x 230 x 115cm (excluding plinths) 225x 235 x 115cm (including plinths, each plinth 40 x 95 x 52cm), at: https://sydneycontemporary.com.au/events/tour-amplify-with-annika-kristensen/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2022
    Nithiyendran R, 2022, Earth Deities (II), Vivid Sydney, Hickson Rd Reserve, The Rocks, Sydney, 27 May 2022 - 18 June 2022, medium: Mixed media sculptural installation, at: https://www.vividsydney.com/blog/vivid-sydney-2022-the-festival-directors-edit
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2022
    Nithiyendran R, 2022, Fertility Figure III, Figure with Spiky Head & Figure with Spiky Head II, Pop South Asia: Artistic Explorations in the Popular, The Sharjah Art Foundation, UAE and The Kiran Nadar Museum of Fine Arts, New Delhi, 02 September 2022 - 03 April 2023, medium: Mixed-media ceramic sculpture, at: https://www.sharjahart.org/sharjah-art-foundation/exhibitions/pop-south-asia-artistic-explorations-in-the-popular
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2022
    Nithiyendran R, 2022, The Mud and the Rainbow, The Mud and The Rainbow, Jhaveri Contemporary, Mumbai, India, 10 February 2022 - 26 March 2022, at: https://jhavericontemporary.com/exhibitions/the-mud-and-the-rainbow
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2021
    Nithiyendran R, 2021, "Double Headed" and "Feline Figure", Art Mixtape: Yours for Summer, HOTA, Gold Coast, 17 December 2021 - 27 February 2022, medium: oil on canvas, at: https://hota.com.au/whats-on/live/exhibitions/art-mixtape-yours-for-summer
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2021
    Nithiyendran R, 2021, Double Sided Avatar with Blue Figure, N/A. Public artwork, HOTA, Gold Coast, 14 February 2021 - 14 February 2031, medium: bronze, concrete, neon, fibreglass, perspex and steel., at: https://hota.com.au/stories/hota-gallery-unveils-major-new-sculpture/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2021
    Nithiyendran R, 2021, Earth Deities, Dark Mofo, Dark Mofo festival, Hobart, Tasmania, 16 June 2021 - 20 June 2021, medium: Mixed media sculptural installation, at: https://www.darkmofo.net.au/event/earth-deities
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2021
    Nithiyendran R, 2021, The Guardians, The Guardians, Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney, 14 November 2021 - 13 December 2021, medium: Installation, at: https://www.sullivanstrumpf.com/artists/ramesh-mario/exhibitions/ramesh-mario-nithiyendran-3/works
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2020
    Nithiyendran R, 2020, Avatar Towers, Avatar Towers, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, 07 November 2020 - 28 February 2020, medium: Mixed media sculptural installation, at: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/archie-plus/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2020
    Nithiyendran R, 2020, Majestic Figures, The Sculpture Park, Edition 3, Madhavendra Palace, Jaipur, India, 06 September 2020 - 06 September 2021, medium: Mixed media installation, at: https://www.thesculpturepark.in/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2020
    Nithiyendran R, 2020, Polymorphous Figures, Polymorphous Figures, Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney, 23 April 2020 - 23 May 2020, medium: Multiple sculptural works. Ceramic media, at: https://www.sullivanstrumpf.com/artists/ramesh-mario/exhibitions/ramesh-mario-nithiyendran/works
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2020
    Nithiyendran R, 2020, Self Portrait with Outstretched Arms, The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, touring to Cairns Art Gallery, Griffith Regional Art Gallery, Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, Shoalhaven Regional Gallery and Penrith Regional Gallery., 26 September 2020 - 10 December 2021, medium: Synthetic polymer paint and oil on linen 198.5 x 152.5 cm., at: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2020/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2019
    Nithiyendran R, 2019, Bronze Deities, The Ramsay Prize, The Art Gallery of South Australia, 25 May 2019 - 25 September 2019, medium: Mixed media installation, at: https://www.agsa.sa.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/ramsay-art-prize/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2019
    Nithiyendran R, 2019, Creator, Creator, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, 30 March 2019 - 12 May 2019, medium: Mixed media installation, at: http://www.casulapowerhouse.com/whats-on/exhibitions2/2019-exhibitions/ramesh-mario-nithiyendran
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2019
    Nithiyendran R, 2019, False Gods, False Gods, Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney, 25 October 2019 - 16 November 2019, medium: Mixed media installation, at: https://www.sullivanstrumpf.com/artists/ramesh-mario/exhibitions/false-gods/works
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2019
    Nithiyendran R, 2019, Multi-Limbed Self-Portrait (After Ceramic Figures) & Transforming Into a Multi-Limbed Deity., The Archibald Prize, The Sulman Prize, The Art Gallery of New South Wales. Touring to: TarraWarra Museum of Art, Gosford Regional Gallery and Arts Centre Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre, Bank Art Museum Moree, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, 11 May 2019 - 15 September 2020, medium: synthetic polymer paint and oil on canvas, at: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2019/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2019
    Nithiyendran R, 2019, Snake Charmer I, Snake Charmer II and Pointy Blue Head, Spectrosynthesis II—Exposure of Tolerance: LGBTQ in Southeast Asia, Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, 23 November 2019 - 01 March 2020, medium: earthenware, glaze, lustre, wooden and plastic beads and rubber snakes., at: https://en.bacc.or.th/event/2452.html
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2019
    Nithiyendran R, 2019, Trio of Drawings, Continental Shift: Contemporary Art and South Asia, Bunjil Place, Narre Warren, 22 June 2019 - 22 September 2019, medium: Oil on Paper, at: https://www.bunjilplace.com.au/continental-shift-contemporary-art-and-south-asia
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2018
    Nithiyendran R, 2018, Celebratory Heads, We are all connected to Campbelltown (one way or another), Campbelltown Arts Centre, NSW., 11 August 2018 - 12 September 2018, medium: earthenware, glaze, lustre, MDF, bronze, rubber snakes., at: http://c-a-c.com.au/we-are-all-connected-to-campbelltown-one-way-or-another/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2018
    Nithiyendran R, 2018, R@MESH: Volume II, R@MESH: Volume II, Sullivan + Strumpf, Singapore, 17 November 2018 - 18 December 2018, medium: Mixed Media Installation, earthenware, glaze, lustre, porcelain, wooden beads, hemp and soft sculpture., at: https://www.sullivanstrumpf.com/artists/ramesh-mario/exhibitions/ramesh-mario-nithiyendran-2/works
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2018
    Nithiyendran R, 2018, Self Portrait Plates, Breaking Ground: The Indian Ceramics Triennale, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur, India., 31 August 2018 - 18 November 2018, medium: Installation, earthenware and glaze., at: https://indianceramicstriennale.com/about/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2018
    Nithiyendran RM, 2018, Idols, The 2018 Dhaka Art Summit & The Encounters Sector, Art Basel Hong Kong., The Shilpakala Cultural Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh and The Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre., 02 February 2018 - 09 February 2018, medium: Installation, mixed media monumental works comprised of earthenware, glaze, Indian human hair, resin, steel, raw clay, textiles, bronze, polystyrene and enamel. Works rage from 5 - 8m tall., at: https://www.samdani.com.bd/idols-2016-2018
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2018
    Nithiyendran RM, 2018, Many Idols, Encounters: Art Basel, Hong Kong, Encounters: Art Basel, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Conventions and Exhibition Centre, 29 March 2018 - 31 March 2018, at: https://www.artbasel.com/hong-kong/the-show
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2017
    Nithiyendran RM, 2017, 'Head' and 'Self Portrait on Green Mound', Mad Love, ARNDT Art Agency, Berlin, ARNDT Art Agency, Berlin, Germany., 06 June 2017 - 29 September 2017, medium: Mixed Media, at: http://arndtartagency.com/mad-love-2017
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2017
    Nithiyendran RM, 2017, R@MESH, Solo Exhibition, Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney, R@MESH, Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney, 21 October 2017 - 11 November 2017, medium: Mixed Media Installation, at: https://www.sullivanstrumpf.com/artists/ramesh-mario/exhibitions/ramesh-mario-nithiyendran/works
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2017
    Nithiyendran RM, 2017, Self Portrait Three Ways, The University of Queensland National Self Portrait Prize: Looking at Me, Looking at You, The University of Queensland Art Museum, 11 November 2017 - 18 February 2018, medium: Mixed Media, at: https://www.artmuseum.uq.edu.au/content/national-self%E2%80%93portrait-prize-2017
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2017
    Nithiyendran RM, 2017, The Cave, The National: New Australian Art, The National: New Australian Art, Carriageworks, Sydney, 30 March 2017 - 18 June 2017, medium: Mixed media installation, at: http://the-national.com.au/artists/ramesh-mario-nithiyendran/elephant-man/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2016
    Nithiyendran RM, 2016, In The Beginning, Solo Exhibition, The Ian Potter Museum of Art, Melbourne., In the Beginning, The Ian Potter Museum of Art, Melbourne University., 22 November 2016 - 26 February 2017, medium: Mixed Media Installation, at: http://www.art-museum.unimelb.edu.au/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/fromyear/2007/toyear/2018/exhib-date/2016-11-22/exhib/ramesh-mario-nithiyendran-in-the-beginning
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2016
    Nithiyendran RM, 2016, Installation, The 2016 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Magic Object, The 2016 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Magic Object, The Art Gallery of South Australia and the Anne and Gordon Samstag Museum of Art, 27 February 2016 - 15 May 2017, medium: Mixed media installation, at: http://adelaidebiennial.com.au/2016/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2016
    Nithiyendran RM, 2016, Mud Men, Mud Men (Solo Exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia), National Gallery of Australia, 26 July 2016 - 26 February 2017, medium: Installation, five mixed media sculptures comprised of: earthenware, glaze, gold lustre, platinum lustre, enamel, porcelain, polystyrene, twine, Indian human hair, shells, resin dental teeth; Gyprock, rendered concrete, rubber snakes, rubber hose, tennis ball, shells., at: https://nga.gov.au/installations/ramesh/default.cfm
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2016
    Nithiyendran RM, 2016, The Archipelago of Ramesh, The 2016 Kuandu Biennale: Slaying Monsters, The 2016 Kuandu Biennale: Slaying Monsters, The Kuandu National Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei, 30 September 2016 - 11 December 2017, medium: Mixed media installation, at: http://asialink.unimelb.edu.au/arts/commissions-and-projects/past-exhibitions/exhibitions/2016-kuandu-biennale
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2015
    Nithiyendran RM, 2015, Archipelago, The Shepparton Art Museum, 'Archipelago' for The Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award, The Shepparton Art Museum, 24 August 2015 - 22 November 2015, medium: Mixed media installation, at: http://www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/smfacaa
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2014
    Nithiyendran RM, 2014, Elephant Island, The 2014 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging), The 2014 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging), Artspace, Sydney, 24 October 2014 - 13 December 2014, medium: Mixed Media Installation, at: https://www.artspace.org.au/program/exhibitions/2014/2014-nsw-visual-arts-fellowship-emerging/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2014
    Nithiyendran RM, 2014, One Hung Bitch: Volume II, Solo Exhibition, Canberra Contemporary Art Space, One Hung Bitch: Volume II, Canberra Contemporary Art Space, 05 December 2014 - 14 February 2015, at: http://www.ccas.com.au/exhibitions/one-hung-bitch-volume-ii-0