Dhruvi Acharya’s paintings focus on the pollution, violence and discord of the current world. Using subtle, wry humour, the artist draws viewers into a world where thoughts are as visible as “reality”, and where the protagonists live and metamorphose by the logic of that world.
Influenced by Indian miniatures, comic books and contemporary street art, Acharya’s paintings are based on her drawing books which chronicle her thoughts, observations, emotions and experiences resulting in works that are visually and psychologically layered beneath a smooth physical surface.
Dhruvi Acharya, a native of Mumbai, began painting her memories of home soon after reaching the USA in 1995. She received her MFA in painting with a scholarship from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and has been exhibiting professionally since a prominent gallery exhibited her graduation show. In India Acharya studied Applied Arts at the Sophia Polytechnic College, where she received the gold medal for the best project.
In 2006 Acharya was awarded the Aditya Birla KalaKiran Puraskar (India) and nominated for the Joan Mitchell Foundation Award (USA), and in 2005 she was featured on the cover of India Today. Acharya’s paintings have been shown in museums, galleries and art fairs around the world.
Education
1998
Master of Fine Arts, Hoffberger School of Painting, Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, USA
1996
Post Baccalaureate in Fine Arts, Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, the United States
1993
Applied Arts, Sophia Polytechnic, Mumbai, India
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2008
One Life on Earth, solo show, Nature Morte, New Delhi & Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai
2006
two plus two equals, solo show, Gallery Chemould, Mumbai
2004
Figment, solo show, Gallery Chemould, Mumbai
2002
Woman, Mother, Goddess, solo show. Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
Selected Group Exhibitions
2008
Shifting terrains/Altered Realities, gallery Empire, Singapore
Miniature Format, Sans Tache Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
Dubai Art Fair: Chemould Prescott Road, Dubai
The Harmony Show, Nehru Center art Gallery, Mumbai
FIAC: Chemould Prescott Road, Paris, France
Art Basel, Miami, Chemould Prescott Road, Miami
2007
India Art Now: Spazio Oberdan, Milan
Year 07, Bucheon Contemporary, London
FIAC, Chemould Prescott, Paris
The Harmony Show, Nehru Center art Gallery, Mumbai
Dubai Art Fair, Chemould Gallery, Dubai
Aqua Art Fair, Bucheon Contemporary, Miami
2006
Bridge Art Fair, Bucheon Contemporary, Miami
Art Edge: Visual Art Gallery, New Delhi
Evam, Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai
2005 Fatal Love: South Asian American Art Now, Queens Museum of
Art, New York
In Short, Hacienda Art Gallery, Mumbai *
Gallery Collection, Gallery Chemould, Mumbai
Divine Inspiration, Hacienda Art Gallery, Mumbai *
2004
Ideas & Images VI - Art in Mumbai, National Gallery of Modern
Art, Mumbai
2002
Words and Images, National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai *
Selections from New American Paintings, OSP Gallery, Boston
Shakti, Hacienda, Mumbai
2001
Shaken and Stirred, juried group show, BosePacia Modern, New
York
Three Contemporary Painters: Nilima Sheik, Manisha Parekh,
Dhruvi Acharya, BosePacia Modern Gallery, New York, USA
Alienation, York Quay Gallery II, York Quay Center, Harbourfront,
Toronto
Excerpts from My Diary Pages, Fine Art Company, Mumbai
2001
Sakhi Visual Arts Showcase, BosePacia Modern Gallery,
New York
Art Frenzy, 12th Street Studios, Long island, New York
2000
Art of Modern India, BosePacia Modern Gallery, New York
Nayika, Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai
Small Works, 80 Washington Square East Galleries, New York
Diasporadics 2000, Riverside Church Theater, New York
2001 Solo Show, Gomez Gallery, Baltimore, USA
The Harmony Show 2000, Nehru Center Gallery, Mumbai
Print Exhibition, Manhattan graphics Center, New York
Two person show, Bachelier Cardonsky Gallery, Kent, USA
1999
East Meets West, two person show, School 33, Baltimore,
Curator: M.A. Greenstein
1998
13 Artists, 2 Galleries, Halcyon Gallery & Studio 302, Baltimore
Three person show, Gomez Gallery, Baltimore
Artscape Annual, Maryland Art Place, Baltimore
The Divine Comedy: Images of Heaven, Hell and Limbo, Cade
Fine Arts Center Gallery, Arnold
M.F.A. Thesis Show, MICA Gallery, Baltimore
1997
Artscape Annual, Meyerhoff Gallery, Baltimore
Selections from the Graduate Studios, Meyerhoff Gallery, Baltimore
The Hoffberger show, MICA Gallery, Baltimore
Augenmusik VI, Peabody Conservatory of Music, Baltimore
1996
The First Year M.F.A. show, MICA Gallery, Baltimore
Augenmusik V, Peabody Conservatory of Music, Baltimore
The Post Baccalaureate Group show, MICA Fox Gallery, Baltimore
Color, Culture and Consciousness, MICS Gallery , Baltimore
Awards and Honors
2006
Awarded the Aditya Vikram Birla Kala Kiran Puraskar
Nominated for the Joan Mitchell Foundation Award, USA
2005
Included among “50 leaders of their generation”, (cover page), India
Today, January 31 issue
Invited to give a talk at National Centre of the Performing arts
(NCPA), Mumbai
1997
International Student Scholarship, Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore
1992,91,89
Student of the Year Award, Sophia Polytechnic., Mumbai
1992
Gold Medal for Best Annual Exhibition, Sophia College, Mumbai
