SELF–PORTRAIT PLATES

Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran creates rough-edged, vibrant, new-age idols that are at once enticing and disquieting. Politics of sex, gender and organised religion are some of the issues that find a voice in his works. His raw and edgy sculptures bring attention to the symbolism of clay as a fundamental corporeal matter. Formally trained in painting and drawing, his practice has a sculptural emphasis which focuses on materiality and the physicality of art making. Although primarily an atheist, Ramesh draws upon his Hindu and Christian heritage as well as a wide range of sources including the internet, pornography, fashion and art history. Self-portraits appear frequently in his work and the dual presence of male and female organs suggest gender fluidity and new possibilities. 

Sri Lankan-born, Sydney-based RAMESH MARIO NITHIYENDRAN has been gaining tremendous international recognition in recent years. His latest solo presentations at Dhaka Art Summit, Bangladesh and Encounters at Art Basel Hong Kong were very well received. He was the youngest artist in the history of National Gallery of Australia to have a solo exhibition where he exhibited Mud Men. Besides several museum shows Ramesh has exhibited at biennales such as Kuandu Biennale, Taipei and Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, Adelaide. He was the winner of the 2015 Sidney Myer Fund Award, and the 2014 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship. He has had several shows both in Australia and internationally.

www.ramesh-nithiyendran.com