Sumedh Rajendran

Born in 1972 at Trivandrum, Kerala, Sumedh Rajendran’s sculptural works juxtapose apparent contradictions, exposing the absurd, almost dystopic future of urban existence. Each work constitutes a precise political intent, taking form in commonplace materials. The artist often explores an anthropomorphic realm, with hybrid species morphing into a metaphor, beyond the confines of realistic representation. His early works probed the isolated angst within migrants, perhaps echoing personal experiences, as he shifted to Delhi in 1996 to study art. The materiality of his practice turns crucial as he employs industrial remnants like tin sheets, cans, rubber, concrete, etc., which carry a distinct connotation dismantling rigid social structures to ultimately re-imagine their possibilities. Rajendran astutely employs wit in his later works, exploring dark humor that undercuts the depth of despair in humanity.

Rajendran obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sculpture from the College of Fine Art, Kerala in 1994 and his Master’s degree from Delhi College of Art in 1999. His first solo show, ‘Pseudo-Homelands’, was held in Lahore – at the Rohtas Art Gallery in 2004, which was the first ever solo in Pakistan by an Indian contemporary artist. Rajendran has widely exhibited his works in various important exhibitions including ‘Indian Highway; at Astrup Fearnley Museum, Norway; ‘On the Road to Next Milestone,’ part of Indian highway at HEART, Herning, Denmark; ‘Zones of Contact: Propositions on the Museum,’ Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi and Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Kochi.

He lives and works in New Delhi, India.