Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Jeram Patel Biography
Jeram Patel was an Indian artist whose innovative and evocative work left a significant mark on the landscape of Indian modern art. Born on June 20, 1930, in Sojitra, a town in the Kheda district of Gujarat, Patel's journey into the world of art began with his studies at the prestigious Sir J.J. School of Art in Bombay (now Mumbai) from 1950 to 1955. There, he honed his skills in drawing and painting, laying the foundation for his future explorations in the visual arts.
Seeking to expand his horizons, Patel moved to London in 1957, where he studied typography and publicity design at the Central School of Art and Craft until 1959. This period was also marked by his travels in England and France, experiences that would further shape his artistic sensibilities. During his time in London, Patel held his first solo show at the Woodstock Gallery in 1959, signaling the beginning of a prolific and impactful career.
Patel's return to India saw him become one of the twelve founding members of the short-lived but influential Group 1890. This collective of artists, formed in 1962, sought to create a new visual language that was distinctly Indian, yet modern in its approach. They believed in the "reality of the image rather than the image of reality," a philosophy that resonated through Patel's work. The group disbanded after their first and only exhibition in 1963, but their ideals continued to influence the Indian art scene.
In the 1960s, Patel joined the Faculty of Fine Arts at Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) in Baroda (now Vadodara), where he would teach until 1990. His tenure at MSU was interspersed with a role as a graphic design consultant at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad in 1962 and as Deputy Director of the Handloom Board of India from 1963 to 1966. Patel's commitment to education and his influence on a generation of artists cannot be overstated.
Patel's artistic oeuvre is characterized by his bold and experimental use of materials and techniques. He is perhaps best known for his abstract ink drawings and burnt wood engravings, a medium he pioneered in India after being inspired by a trip to Japan in the 1960s. His "attack on wood" involved charring and puncturing plywood to create textured, evocative works that defied conventional categorization. Patel's use of a blowtorch as an artistic tool was emblematic of his approach to art-making—one that was visceral, intense, and deeply personal.
Throughout his career, Patel's work was widely exhibited both in India and internationally. He participated in the Tokyo Biennale and the Sao Paulo Biennale, among other prestigious events. His accolades include multiple Lalit Kala Akademi National Awards, the Ravishankar Raval Award from the Government of Gujarat, and the Kala Ratna from the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society in New Delhi.
Patel's later years saw him continue to push the boundaries of his art. He served as the chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi in Gandhinagar from 1994 to 2000 and received the Emeritus Fellowship from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, in 1994. His work remained untitled, a testament to his belief that the material should speak for itself, free from preconceived notions or classifications.
On January 18, 2016, Jeram Patel passed away in Vadodara at the age of 86. His legacy, however, endures through his profound impact on Indian modernism and the countless artists he inspired. In 2016, the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in New Delhi organized a retrospective of his work, showcasing nearly 180 pieces that spanned his artistic career. Patel's work continues to be celebrated and studied, a testament to his unique vision and indelible contribution to the world of art.
Jeram Patel Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
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