Ujjal Dey (b.1992)
Born in 1992 in Ranchi, India, Ujjal Dey is a contemporary artist pursuing a doctorate from Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan. He studied textile and design at Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, graduating in 2017. His semi-abstract works, which explore the ideas of tradition, rituals, ecology and landscape, are inspired by several traditional techniques and practices like Alpana (floor decoration), lepas (smear) and quilt or Kantha (stitched fabrics). His doctoral research focuses on the indigenous traditions and sustainable techniques of printing and dyeing.
He was part of Fragments of Our Time, British Textile Biennial 2023, UK; Solo exhibition at Silvia’s Mother Gallery, Cromwell Palace, London, 2023; Art Dusseldorf 2023; India Art Fair, 2023; GOONJ: An Abstract Continuum at the Coomaraswamy Hall, CSMVS Museum, Mumbai; Raza Foundation’s 100 Yuva Sambhava (Delhi, 2022); International Fiber Arts of Time Exhibition, Nandan Gallery, Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati University (2021); Departure at Ganges Art Gallery (Kolkata, 2020); Pentamerous at Art Exposure (Kolkata, 2018); The Shape of Things at Ganges Art Gallery (Kolkata, 2017); and several other significant exhibitions in India. In addition, Ujjal has participated in many international workshops, art camps and seminars on textiles. He is the recipient of the Junior Fellowship (2018-2019) and National Scholarship (2016) by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Ujjal Dey lives and works in Santiniketan, West Bengal.