The Magic of Terracotta”The first evidence of civilization in India dates back to about the third millennium B.C. where small statues of the mother goddess have been discovered. We find this very concept of 'SHAKTI' developed the work of ASHOK PATEL. The concept is post rayed beyond the realm of the physical, bordering almost on the abstract. He draws the inspiration from the depths of spirituality and his own experience of life. A postgraduate from the faculty of Fine Arts (M.S. University, Baroda), he has worked on Terracotta for the last 10 years. He feels that his art has everything to do with his state of mind. His work reflects his struggle to develop the particular aspects of SHAKTI, finally culminating in a sculpture titled, ABHIDHYAN, done in a manner which to say the least, is enthralling. It has sometimes taken him a month and a half to put down an impulse on paper in the form of drawing, which he has often treated as a source for further development of his ideas. His early work involved the making of pots, masks and murals, which also depict various forms of SHAKTI. RITU SAIGAL, FEMINA: 23rd Feb. 1992 (Magazine of Bombay) “The Solid Triumph”ISLAND

“Ashok's artistic Endeavour cannot be considered in the simplistic terms as it borders upon many realms of perennial and contextual realities and truths, concerning meaning and functions of 'art' and life. If this has any specific relevance and validity to the world at large, particularly in the context of the post – modern eclecticism and the negation of 'uniqueness' as a value of not much consequence, The case of Ashok is a pointer to a mammoth art world in the country, distinct from the most savant– grade artists/intellectual group(s).”DR SHIVAJI PANIKKAR (Art historian - India) “As I start to describe this mysterious and magical works, I find myself making molding movements in the air with my fingers, trying as I recall the appearance of Ashok' s work to remake them sharing how they were made drawn almost with clay. His sculptures are 3 dimensional drawings with subtle coloring which suggests the richness and the smell.”DAVID CEVET(Artist and Writer - UK)

“Ashok's sculpture is robust and honest, finely crafted and deeply felt; it shames our obsession with novelty and sensation; it is a personal vision of human experience written in an international language; it is not censorious; it is not judgmental.”RICHARD ATKISON – (Director - “The project Workshop” – UK)

‘'His sculptures suggest sensuous experiences.'’COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE

' 'Ashok's paintings and sculptures are woven into mystical meditation through music.' 'NEHRU CENTER (U.K. )

‘'The work suggests how meticulous he is in devising fluid, poetic forms….'’DHYANESWAR NADKARNI

This flowing, all I know

graphite pencil

13” x 11”

The Voice Healingwater-colour pencil

9.5” x 12.75”

The Inner Space

bronze

12” x 16” approx

Freedom from the Known 1print on archival paper24” x 20” approx

The Awakening

bronze

12” x 14” approxFreedom from the Known 2print on archival paper20” x 24” approx

Dancing Meditationwater-colour pencil

9.5” x 12.75”

The Prophet

graphite pencil

10.5” x 10”

The Sublimation

bronze

12” x 14” approx

The Eternal River

graphite pencil

11” x 13”

The Body, The Mind and The Selfwater-colour pencil

9.5” x 12.75”

Freedom from the Known 3print on archival paper24” x 20” approx

Nadabrahmafiber glass8” x 9” approx

Nobody can see me Singing and Dancingwater-colour pencil

9.5” x 12.75”

The Cosmic Floweringgraphite pencil10.5” x 10”

Freedom from the Known 4print on archival paper24” x 20” approx

Mahamudrafiber glass10” x 34” approx

Internal Emberswater-colour pencil9.5” x 12.75”

The Celestial Dancegraphite pencil13” x 11”

Freedom from the Known 5

print on archival paper

20” x 24” approx

A River keeps on flowing within

graphite pencil

13” x 11”

Fragrance of the Flowerwater-colour pencil9.5” x 12.75”

Kaivalybronze

12” x 14”

Floating within Herfiber glass36” x 13”

The Pilgrimagegraphite pencil10.5” x 10”

Ever Over Growingwater-colour pencil9.5” x 12.75”

The Dance Within

bronze

12” x 14” approxParashabdamgraphite pencil

13” x 11”

The ritual between usgraphite pencil

14” x 11”

ashok patel

Studied sculpture during 1979-1985 at M.S.University Baroda, India. Studied Kathak dance and Light Music at M.S.University Baroda, India,

to enhance the understanding of creativity.Also, studied Ceramic at Brunel University at UK.

His work has been shown by several galleries including the Jahangir Art Gallery -Bombay ( India) ,Gallery Espace - New Delhi ( India),

and Commonwealth Institute in London ( UK) .He has widely participated and exhibited since 1991.He has won state art academy awards 1983, 1990.

His work is in public and private collections including Institutions and Galleries in India, Japan, Germany, USA, Belgium, France and United Kingdom .

Since moving to London in 1994, he has held 14 solo and 7 private exhibitions, and participated in 6 group events.

In December 1995, BBC broadcast a documentary surrounding his one-man show held at the Commonwealth Institute.

In July 1997, ZEE TV broadcast his interview.His work was chosen by Sotheby's for Chlchester Open Art Exhibition.

Currently he is working on series of…

Drawings: “The Cosmic Odyssey”, “Floating and Flying away”, “Dew Drop, “The Initiation”,

“MahaMaya”, ”The Astral Fragrance”, “The Pilgrimage”, “The Third Eye”

Paintings: “Voice Healing”, “In between Disappearing and Appearing”,

“Socio-Religious Conditions”

Sculptures:“The Awaking, Floating”, “Flying away”

Lithographs:“Freedom from the Known”

He lives in London, as a freelance artist…