Concept Note
Most of us growing up have heard about how more than half the species currently occupying earth will go extinct by 2100. The current epoch popularly termed Anthropocene, in many ways articulates the negative human impact on earth’s ecology.
It problematizes the issues of land use, human encroachment, excessive dependency on fossil fuels, and so on within the larger context of negative human impact. Artists have been responding to these challenges through various research-based practices, where the said research becomes the artwork in many cases.
Manisha Agrawal’s works in this regard take a different route. Her extensive research takes the form of intricately rendered details of the negative human impact on the fauna around us.
The visuals take center stage in her work. The tiger inside a jar, triggers a sense of urgency with which conservation and preservation strategies need to be adapted as well as adopted. With the portrayal of familiar objects, within indisputable situations, Agrawal’s works take the form of an instrument of ecological awareness.
Artist Statement
The relationship between mankind and nature is multifaceted. In our society, birds and animals are not only viewed as divine vahanas of various gods and goddesses but are also considered auspicious. Nonetheless, it is a reality that we continue to destroy the precious lives and habitats of these creatures that we hold in such high regard. Through the use of allegorical elements and visual narrative tools, my works serve as instruments for ecological awareness.
My extensive research leads me to intricately rendered details of the negative human impact on bird and animal life. In my paintings, I strive to illuminate the fact that many species are facing habitat destruction and are slowly inching toward extinction. I empathize with the sensations of these creatures and attempt to portray them in a contemporary language, utilizing both realistic and miniature styles.
My paintings bear titles such as “Environmental Disaster,” “Endangered Animals,” and “Flowers Going to Die,” in which I depict forests being transformed into concrete jungles and the atmosphere severely affected by human activity. The “Flowers Going to Die” series is based on a research study of approximately 3000 flower species that have gradually become extinct, which my generation has not had the opportunity to witness.
In order to preserve memories of the flowers that I encounter in my daily life, I have illustrated them on paper for future generations to behold. These compelling compositions are devoid of decoration or any other background elements, with the species presented in stark focus.
My works place the visual elements at the forefront, showcasing majestic jungle beasts, birds, and humble cattle beings suspended in bottles and preservations. I firmly believe that preservation strategies should be both adapted and adopted in order to ensure the continued existence of these precious creatures.
Education

- B.F.A. (Painting) – Govt. Fine Arts College, Indore. (M.P.) – 2010.
- M.F.A. (Painting) – Govt. Fine Arts College, Indore. (M.P.) – 2013.
- Graphics Designing – Virtual Voyage, Indore. (M.P.) – 2011.
Materials








- Watercolour on Acid-free paper
- Synthetic polymer on Canvas
Group Shows








- “Dinmaan Samaaroh”, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal- 2020
- “AROH” – Emami Art Open Call Mentorship & Exhibition Programme 1.3 -2020
- “Thinking Around Corners”- curated by Bhavna Kakar and Renu Modi – (TAP India)- 2021
- “Believing the unbelievable” – Apparao Galleries-(TAPIndia)- 2021
- “The metaphor of the ark”- Apparao Galleries- 2021
- “Unlocking the Object 1”- Apparao Galleries- 2021
- “Unlocking the object 2”- Apparao Galleries- 2021
- “First take”-Abir India- 2021
- “Transit- where do we go from here” – Apre art house- Mumbai, (Bikaner house-Delhi) – 2021
- “Fragments of Imagination” – Palette Art Gallery- 2021
- “The emerging canvas-edition-VII” – INKO Centre- 2021
- “Emerging reflections”-Apparao galleries-Chennai-2022
- “Emergent” – Art Explore, New Delhi- 2022
- “Evocative Objects: Still life” – Kalakriti Art Gallery- Hyderabad- 2022
- “India Art festival-Mumbai”-Lexicon Art gallery-2022
- “Canvas and Beyond”- Khushii Foundation- 2022
- “Earth songs” – Gallery Art Positive_ 2022
- “Art from heart 2.0”- Lexicon art gallery-2022
- “Tree of life”- Gallery Veda-Chennai-2022
- “Chalo ghar chalein”- 105arts-2022
- “The Winter edit”- Art for concern -Mumbai-2022
- “The Bangalore Edit”- Art for concern-2022
- “Annual charity Auction”- Art for concern-2023
- “Delhi spring collection”-Art for concern-2023
- “The Eclectic art collection”- Art for concern-2023
- “Paradoxes of the city”- Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabad- 2023
- “The annual monsoon show”- Art for concern-2023
- “The July splendour” – Art for concern-2023
- “A Room Full of Phools” – Champa Tree Art Gallery- Delhi- 2023
- “The annual art show”- Art for concern, Bangaluru-2023
Awards








- Gold Medal-Manav Sanket Academy, Ujjain-2006
- Gold Medal & Jury Award–Manav Sanket Academy, Ujjain-2007
- 31st All India Art Exhibition, Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust, Pune-2018
- Cash Award- 91st Annual All India Art Exhibition, AIFACS, New Delhi-2018
- M.P. State Award (Vishnu Chinchalkar) – 2018-19
- 33rd All India Art Exhibition, Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust, Pune-2020
- Second Prize- ARTDEX International Art competition-2020
- Scholarship Grand award_Artist relief fund- Artsome-2021
- Grand award- Artdemic-2021
- Merit grant award- Prafulla dhanukar art foundation-2022
Solo Shows








- VANISHING BEAUTY- Kalakriti art gallery- Hyderabad- 2019-20
- SHELTER- Gallery white- The art platform for India (TAP India)- 2020
- LIFE IN A BELL JAR- Champa tree Arts for all – Delhi- 2021
- “AMIDST it all” – Apparao Art Gallery- Delhi- 2023
Camps








- Goan Kitchen – Museum of Goa – Goa.
- History of Goa – Museum of Goa – Goa.
- NAFA Museum- Nepal.
- B.P. Koirala Foundation, Nepal Embassy, New Delhi.
Collections








- Goan Kitchen – Museum of Goa – Goa.
- History of Goa – Museum of Goa – Goa.
- NAFA Museum- Nepal.
- B.P. Koirala Foundation, Nepal Embassy, New Delhi.