visual ART
My work explores the intersections between religion, spirituality and sexuality often questioning our current moral value system that seems to have been established through a mass blind acceptance of a normalised truth claim .
Using colours and symbolisms, inspired from historical texts, I further my narratives by developing staged scenes to create a tension between the real and the fictional.
By blurring the lines between the real and the imagined I try to force the viewer to ponder over alternate interpretations of their beliefs and possibly invite them to understand the duality of moral values. That there is no black and white in morality and that right and wrong is but a mere perspective which can shift with wisdom acquired by knowledge.
creative Consultant
Founder – Soolkaama
Global Creative Head – Lensational
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
The Public House of Art
Utrechtsestraat 98, 1017 VS Amsterdam
Netherlands
Gallery 7
G3, Oricon House, 12 /14 Rampart Row, K. Dubash Rd.,
Kalaghoda, Mumbai – India 400 001.
EXHIBITIONS
- Pingyao International Photo Festival, Shanxi, China 2019 (Curated by Niyatee Shinde)
- An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, UK 2018
- Platform Gallery, Glasgow, UK 2018
- Les nuits de Pierrevert, Montpellier, France 2018
- Tasveer Journal, India 2018
- Egaro Photo Festival, Agartala, Tripura, India 2017
- Just Another Photo Festival, Kolkatta, India 2017
- Kalinka Gallery, Pondicherry, India 2017
- Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication (SACAC), New Delhi, India 2017
- Fòcas Scotland – Commissioned by the British Council and Creative Scotland as part of the ‘UK/India Year of Culture 2017’ to make new lens-based work that shall travel through UK and India during 2018 – Edinburgh, UK 2017
- Bikaner House, New Delhi, India, 2017
- An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, UK 2017
- A Surreal Vision, Loosen Art, Rome, Italy 2017
- The Realm of Queer Desires – India Culture Lab, Mumbai, India 2017
- Addis Foto Fest, Addis Ababa – Ethiopia 2016
- The One Fest Goa, Goa – India 2016
- Public House Of Art, Amsterdam, Netherlands 2016.
- “Disappearing Dialogues” – Art Residency, Art Ichol, Maihar, Madhya Pradesh.
- Named by Homegrown as one of the top 9 artists in India who are exploring sex and sexuality in important ways.
- Dali International Photography Festival, China 2015
- Athens International Photo Festival, Greece 2015
- Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai, India 2015
- Goa International Photography Festival, Goa, India 2015
- Focus Photography Festival – Mumbai, India 2015
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2017 – Present (www.soolkaama.com) – Founder
2012-Present (www.sandeepdhopate.com)
- Photographer
- Fine Art – Contemporary Indian narratives exploring the history of religion, spirituality and sexuality
- Photographer
- Commercial – Advertising, Fashion and Portraiture commercial commissions
- Photojournalism – Commissioned work for non-profits
- Educator
- Lensational – Global Head of Creative (www.lensational.org)
- Commercial Photography – Portraiture and Fashion
- Volunteer work – Storytelling workshops employing photography for effective communication. Consulting with non-profits to help them conceive branding and marketing strategies.
1999 – 2012 – Cross discipline Business and Technical Consulting heading Product Development and Project Management teams.
LIMITED EDITION PRINTS
Public House of Art, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Mojarto – An NDTV Venture – India