Born in Chennai, India, 1984; lives and works in Chennai, India
Janarthanan's works explore the idea of the self both at the physical and metaphorical level. While conceptualizing a way to express this preoccupation, it struck to him that the human body is not very different from a bird's nest. A nest is a place where a living creature stays similarly the human body contains the soul that gives sentience to the body. When I observed the form of the nest more closely I found further parallels with the human since both the nest and the human being are built up in layers; layers that are sometimes perceptible to the eyes and at other times not, since the nest/human begin to exist as an idea even before the idea takes a physical form. This idea of physical absence/presence fascinates him and he translates this concept into his work using the notion of a trace.
With a BFA, 2008 and MFA, 2010 from the Government College of Arts, Chennai, Janarthanan has received the Runner up of 'Emerging Artist of the year Award 2015', Bestcollegeart , New Delhi. His select solo shows include 2013 'Nest', Art World gallery, Chennai, 2009 'Care', Apparao art gallery, Chennai and New Delhi. His select group shows include 2016 'The Annual 2016', ARTS FOR ALL RESIDENCY, New Delhi, 2015 'Quest of Mind', Neuhous Gallery, New Delhi, 2015 'The Emerging Collective', ArtDistrict X111, New Delhi, 2015 'Art Spotting V', Gallery Art Positive, New Delhi, 2015 'The Deep inside', Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabed, 2015 'NH 7 + 47:Southern Sojourn', Art Gallery, Dubai, 2015 'The Annual 2015', ARTS FOR ALL RESIDENCY, New Delhi, 2015 'Monochromes: Lustres: Metal', Apparao Galleries, Chennai, 2015 'The Art of Chess', India Art Fair, New Delhi, 2011 'Sign', Cholamandal Centre for Contemporary Art, Chennai, 2009 'Platform 15', Chitra Kala Parishath, Banglore, 2009 'Nirapirigai', Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai.
R Janarthanan is represented by Art Houz Gallery, Chennai, India.
Awards, Scholars & Workshop
- 2015 1st Runner up of ‘Emerging Artist of the year Award 2015’, Bestcollegeart , New Delhi.
- 2015 Jury Award ‘South Indian Art Show 2015’, Chandra Ilango Visual Art Foundation.
Solo Shows
- 2013 ‘Nest’, Art World gallery, Chennai.
- 2009 ‘Care’, Apparao art gallery, Chennai.
- 2009 ‘Care’, Apparao art gallery, Delhi.
Invited Shows
- 2015 'The Deep inside', Kalakriti Residency, Hyderabed.
- 2015 'Ethnic Mindscape', An Interactive Workshop with North East Artist, Regional Centre, Chennai.
- 2014 'ARTS FOR ALL RESIDENCY', New Delhi.
- 2013 'KHOJ PEERS Share', New Delhi.
- 2008 'The Young Artist Camp', 13th National Level Youth Festival, Chennai.
- 2008 'State Lalit Kala Akademi Camp', Chennai.
- 2007 'SAMHITA', National Level Seminar cum Painting Workshop, New Delhi.
Group Shows
- 2016 'The Annual 2016', ARTS FOR ALL RESIDENCY, New Delhi.
- 2015 'Quest of Mind', Neuhous Gallery, New Delhi.
- 2015 'The Emerging Collective', ArtDistrict X111, New Delhi.
- 2015 'Art Spotting V', Gallery Art Positive, New Delhi.
- 2015 'The Deep inside', Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabed.
- 2015 'NH 7 + 47:Southern Sojourn', Art*ry Gallery, Dubai.
- 2015 'The Annual 2015', ARTS FOR ALL RESIDENCY, New Delhi.
- 2015 'Monochromes: Lustres: Metal', Apparao Galleries, Chennai.
- 2015 'The Art of Chess', India Art Fair, New Delhi.
- 2014 'constructing forms', kalakriti gallery, Hyderabad.
- 2014 'Form and Function', gallery Veda, Chennai.
- 2014 'Art Chennai', Art World gallery, Chennai.
- 2013 'Hidden Histories and Geographies of the World', Apparao Galleries, The Lodhi, New Delhi.
- 2013 'PEERS Share', Khoj, Delhi.
- 2013 'Nature in Fountain of Life/ The Rain Room/ The Sand Storm', Apparao Gallery, Chennai.
- 2013 'Madras Musings', Gallery Veda, Chennai.
- 2013 'Regional Art Exhibition', Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai.
- 2012 'Emerging Idioms', Apparao Galleries, Chennai.
- 2011 'Emerging Idioms', Apparao Galleries, Aman New Delhi.
- 2011 'Art Chennai', Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai.
- 2011 'Sign', Cholamandal Centre for Contemporary Art, Chennai.
- 2009 'Platform 15', Chitra Kala Parishath, Banglore.
- 2009 'Nirapirigai', Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai.
- 2008 'Between the line', Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai.
- 2008 'Flat form15', lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai.
