Ajay Sharma
Friday 8 – Saturday 23 July
Ajay Sharma, master miniature painter, returns to Sydney from Jaipur to share his observations of the changing role and status of women in India. He will also be exhibiting a Ragamala and others works in the tradition of Indian miniature painting.
Ajay Sharma and Stephanie Snider will be the Artists-In-Residence at Thirning Villa, Ashfield from 17 June – 29 July. Keep an eye out for their workshops on the Thirning Villa website
Thirning Villa is supported by Inner West Council
See Below:
- List of Works
- Ajay Sharma CV
List of Works
All works are unframed. It is recommended that works containing stone pigments are framed with museum grade glass to prevent fading.
‘Original’ refers to original conception. All other works are copy work in the tradition of Indian miniature painting. They are copies of old works that appear on walls of palaces and temples or old manuscripts. Ajay Sharma is a master painter in the tradition of Indian miniature painting as indicated in his CV. There is a particular methodology attached to this process and the quality of work created by miniature painters in India varies widely. The work bought in shops and markets in India cannot be compared to the quality of work produced by Ajay (and Vinita) Sharma.
1. Younger Ganesh (Jaipur School), 2015, khariya, gouache, 24 x 18cm
SOLD
2. Raja Balwant Singh of Jasrota worshipping Krishna & Radha (Rajasthan School, Kishangharh), 2015, khariya and stone pigment,
40 x 30cm
$300
3. Thakur Balwant Sing presides at a dance performance (Rajasthan School, Jaipur), 2015, khariya, gouache, 26.5 x 36cm
$700
4. Shiva and Parvati on a terrace (Jaipur School), 2015, khariya, gouache, stone pigment, 35 x 25cm
SOLD
5. Rao Jagat Singh in his garden (Rajasthan School, Kota), 2015, khariya, gouache, 35 x 25cm
$450
6. Radha and Krishna flirting (Pahari), 2015, khariya, stone pigment,
34 x 26.5cm
$300
7. Prince Padam Singh of Bikaner with Brad Gordhar on terrace (Rasjasthan School, Kishangharh), 2015, khariya, stone pigment,
30 x 38.5cm
$400
8.Court Scene, 11 figures (Mughal School), 2015, khariya, gouache,
35 x 48cm
$700
9. Prince Awrangzeb facing a maddened elephant named Sudhkar (Mughal School), 2015, khariya, gouache, 36 x 53cm
$900
10. Women Power 6 (from original series 1-6), 2015, khariya, stone pigment, 41 x 31cm
$1600
11. Women Power 5 (from original series 1-6), 2015, khariya, stone pigment, 31 x 41cm
$1600
12. Women Power 4 (from original series 1-6), 2015, khariya, stone pigment, 31 x 41cm
$1600
13. Women Power 3 ( from original series 1-6), 2015, khariya, stone pigment, 31 x 41cm
$1600
14. Women Power 2 (from original series 1-6), 2015, khariya, stone pigment, 31 x 41cm
$1600
15. Women Power 1 (from original series 1-6), 2015, khariya, stone pigment, 31 x 41cm
SOLD
16. Shiva and Parvati 1 (original interpretation), 2016, khariya, stone pigment, 31 x 41cm
$1300
17. Shiva and Parvati 2 (original interpretation), 2016, khariya, stone pigment, 31 x 41cm
$1300
18.Shiva and Parvati 3 (original interpretation), 2016, khariya, stone pigment, 31 x 41cm
$1300
19. Shiva and Parvati 4 (original interpretation), 2016, khariya, stone pigment, 31 x 41cm
$1300
20. Lady’s Portrait (original), khariya, stone pigment, 2016, 35 x 25cm
$700
21. Ganesh with his two wives Ridhi and Sidhi, khariya, 2015, stone pigment, 25 x 30cm
$300
22. Maharao Ram Singh 2nd of Kota riding his horse on palace’s roof (Rajasthan School), 2015, khariya, gouache, 39 x 51cm
$700
23. Vishnu (Rajasthan School Jodhpur), 2015, khariya, gouache,
35 x 25cm
SOLD
24. Bahadhur Sahah Zafer 2nd (Mughal School), 2015, khariya, gouache, 30 x 35cm
SOLD
25. Shah Jahan riding with Darashikoh (Mughal School), 2015, khariya, gouache, 35 x 25cm
SOLD
26. The Vain Darvish and the Sufi (Mughal School), 2015, khariya, gouache, 29.5 x 21.5cm
SOLD
27. Shiva on Nandi, khariya, 2015, gouache, 35 x 25cm
$275
Ajay Sharma CV
Education
1979-84 Apprenticed under the direct tutelage of Master Painter Mahendra Sharma, Jaipur, India.
Subjects studied, practiced and mastered include:
Mastery of Pigment: In depth analysis, research, preparation and practical application for all
pigmentations and mediums including stone colors (minerals and their extraction, purification
etc. for creating color), natural pigments and extracts. Mastery of all technical aspects of color
including pigment preparation, grinding, refinement and filtering processes.
Mastery of Composition & Drawing: Daily practice of drawing, filling of colours on paper and
cloth, creating borders, paper analysis, and developing new narratives and compositions.
Mastery of Brushes: Understanding and implementing all aspects of natural hair brush making;
including a working knowledge of the various animals, methods of hair analysis and perfecting
the technique of cutting live hairs, preparation and making of precise and specific brushes
depending upon the demands and nuances of the intended use.
Mastery of Gold Leaf: Includes creation and application of liquid gold from gold leaf sheets.
Applying and perfecting multiple techniques of gold leaf for application onto numerous
surfaces, creating stylistic specialties and faux finishing.
Experience
Ajay Sharma is a Master Painter who has been supervising a studio of students and employees
since 1984.
1. Specialising in all types of miniature and mural painting, including new creations,
traditional style, portrait painting, commission and restoration work.
2. Teacher of new, foreign and advanced students. Leads individual and group workshops
in the studio.
3. Supervises a team of eight full time students and employees
Expert at:
Mughal Painting, preservation, conservation and copy work.
Formidable knowledge and expertise:
Tantra Painting, Rajput Painting, Kota School, Jaipur School
Solo and Collaborative Exhibitions
2014 The Speed of Life, AirSpace Projects, Sydney, Australia
2010 Cowdust, Collaboration with Julie Evans, Julie Saul Gallery, Chelsea, New York
Solo Exhibitions
2016 Ajay Sharma, AirSpace Projects, Sydney
2015 Past Continuous, AirSace Projects, Sydney
2014 Speed of life, AirSpace Projects, Sydney
Group Exhibitions
2015 Extinct Extant, featuring Sarah Eddowes, Nicole Ellis, Hayden Fowler, Shalini Jardin,
Fleur MacDonald, Sarah Newall, Raquel Ormella, Lynne Roberts-Goodwin, Ajay
Sharma, Vivian White. Curated by Dr Sally Clarke. AirSpace Projects, Sydney.
Artist-In-Residence
2014 The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, London.
2014 SquarePeg Studios, Sydney, Australia
2012 Virginia Commonwealth University, Doha
2011 M.S. University of Baroda
2010 M.S. University of Baroda
2002 Sanskriti Kendra-Residency Program for Artists and Writers, New Delhi, India. Led
Miniature Painting Workshops; initiated demonstrations; private instruction in studios
and critiques to international artists-in-residence.
2001 Sanskriti Kendra, New Delhi, India. Led Miniature Painting Workshops; initiated
demonstrations, private instruction in studios and critiques to international artists-inresidence.
Miniature Painting Workshops
2014 Miniature Painting Techniques, The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, London.
2014 Miniature Painting Techniques 2 x 5-day Workshops, SquarePeg Studios, Sydney
2013 Miniature Painting Techniques Workshop, Jaipur Virasat Foundation (J.V.F)
2012 Miniature Painting Techniques Workshop, Virginia Commonwealth University, Doha
2012 Demonstration for students from The N.R.L.C. Lucknow at Ajay Sharma Studio
2012 Miniature Painting Techniques Work Shop for Jaipur Virasat Foundation (J.V.F)
2011 Miniature Painting Techniques Work Shop for Jaipur Virasat Foundation (J.V.F)
2011 Miniature Workshop at M.S.University of Baroda
2010 Miniature Painting Techniques Work Shop for Jaipur Virasat Foundation (J.V.F.)
2010 Miniature Painting Workshop for S.I.T., Ajay Sharma Studio, Jaipur.
2010 Miniature Painting Workshop, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
2010 Demonstrations, Ahmadabad Fine Art College
2010 Demonstration for students from The Art Institute of Chicago at Ajay Sharma Studio
2010 Miniature Painting Techniques Workshop for Jaipur Virasat Foundation (J.V.F)
2009 Miniature Painting Techniques Workshop for Jaipur Virasat Foundation (J.V.F.)
2008 Miniature Painting Techniques Workshop for visitors from William Benton
Museum of Art, University of Connecticut, Ajay Sharma Studio, Jaipur.
2008 Miniature Painting Techniques Workshop, University of Connecticut students, Ajay
Sharma Studio, Jaipur.
2008 Miniature Painting Techniques Workshop, Jaipur Virasat Foundation (J.V.F.)
2007 Miniature Painting Techniques Workshop, Jaipur Virasat Foundation (J.V.F.)
2006 Art Camp, Monsoon Moods, Mumbai.
2006 Miniature Painting Techniques Workshop, Jaipur Virasat Foundation (J.V.F.)
2005 Miniature Painting Techniques Workshop, Jaipur Virasat Foundation (J.V.F.)
Restoration and Conservation Work
2003 Heritage Hotel Samode Palace, Jaipur, India. Restoration of original nineteenth century
plaster wall, murals and frescoes
Commissions
1999 Multan Estate, Jaipur, India. Creation of original mural, glass and furniture paintings in
private residence.
Citations
Anderson, Patricia, ‘The Speed of Life’, Sydney Morning Herald, Spectrum, 11-12 July 2014
ISCUF 16th National Conference, 1999
Luthra, Rijni, ‘All Dolled Up and Ready To Canter’, Arts, Indian Link (Australia), July (1),
2014, 26
Mecugni, Anna, ‘Julie Evans and Ajay Sharma: Julie Saul’, Art in America, January, 2011
Nigaah Art & Culture from South Asia, 2011
Panicelli, Ida (translated from Italian by Margeurite Shore), ‘Julie Evans and Ajay Sharma,
Julie Saul Gallery’, Artforum, February, 2011, 229
SPAN, 2004
Collections
William Benton Museum of Art, University of Connecticut, USA
Jaipur Virasat Foundation (Jaiput Shopping Map and Jaipur Map)
Bill Clinton, then President of USA (1993-2001)
Václav Havel, First President of the Czech Republic (1993-2003)
Professor Edward Hower, USA (author)
Horacio Medez, then Minister of the Argentine Embassy to India
V.S. Naipaul (Novelist, Travel Writer, essayist and recipient of Nobel Prize for Literature, 2001
Václav Klaus, Second President of the Czech Republic (2003-2013) and his wife Livia Klausová
Private Collections in India, Britain, United States and Australia
AirSpace Projects 2014-2017 