Shahid Parvez

Born in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in 1970, and based in Udaipur, the artist has developed a distinctive pictorial language that combines expressive figuration, folk-inspired elements and an insightful exploration of human relationships. His work examines friendship, affection, nostalgia and the emotional dimensions of everyday life through richly layered surfaces, vibrant colours and unconventional compositions.

He holds a Master’s degree in Drawing and Painting from Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, where he received a gold medal, and has completed a doctorate in visual arts. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Visual Arts at the university’s College of Social Science and Humanities, contributing to art education alongside his studio practice.

Working primarily in oil on canvas, his paintings draw upon personal memories, close observation and the visual vocabulary of folk traditions. Human and animal figures, familiar objects and fantastical characters are reconfigured through deliberate distortions, unusual proportions and unexpected associations. Tigers appear as affectionate companions, elephants resemble toys, and everyday situations acquire theatrical and often humorous dimensions. These elements inhabit a dreamlike space where reality and fantasy intersect, lending the compositions narrative complexity and distinctive visual character.

A defining feature of his practice is the interplay between an adult understanding of lived experience and the uninhibited perception of childhood. Humour and exaggeration serve as means of challenging conventional representation and revealing alternative perspectives on familiar subjects. Expressive forms, chromatic contrasts and intricate surface treatments contribute to compositions that balance spontaneity with formal sophistication.

His exhibition history encompasses solo and group presentations in India and internationally, including France, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Australia. His work has been exhibited at established venues such as Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, and Dhoomimal Art Centre, New Delhi. He has received recognition from institutions including Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi and the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS). He was also a Charles Wallace India Trust Scholar.

Through his distinctive approach to figuration and visual storytelling, he transforms familiar experiences into engaging pictorial narratives that celebrate emotional connection, curiosity and the enduring significance of childhood memories.