Sushil Mangaonkar

Sushil Mangaonkar was born in 1972. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts (First Class) at Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai as well as a Diploma in Commercial Art atApplied Art Institute, Mumbai in 1992. He further proceeded to do his Masters in Art in 1993 from Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai. In 1998, he moved to Edinburg to do a Masters in Art from Edinburgh College of Art until 2001. He further completed a Postgraduate Work Professional Graduate Diploma in Education, Moray House University of Edinburgh in 2011.

Sushil’s solo exhibitions have have been held in Mumbai, Delhi, Edinburgh, London and Oxford, whilst providing him with the opportunity to explore and exhibit a number of abstract yet engaging concepts. His recent exhibitions in Edinburgh demonstrate the reflective nature of Sushil’s work and his eagerness to engage with the communities in which he lives.

Over the last few years, Sushil’s artistic style has gone through different phases. Owing to three bad episodes of flooding in his home and studio, he started to notice the watermarks that had been left on different objects and these natural patterns provided the initial inspiration for his works. The watermarks themselves were very monochromatic yet he wanted his work to also draw on more abstract principles. The colors used depict the five elements: earth, fire, water, air, and space. These contemplative pieces have also been strongly influenced by zen philosophy and Chinese calligraphy.

Beyond his personal artistic endeavours, Sushil has also acted as an instructor, conducting art workshops for children and groups with physical disabilities and learning difficulties in both the UK and India. He has also taught workshops at Edinburgh College of Art and acted as an artist-in-residence at Radley College, Oxford.

Amongst Sushil’s achievements, he won a Merit Certificate for Mural, Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai, 1992; the First Prize for Photography, Applied Art Institute, Mumbai, 1992; 41st National Award, Lalit Kala Akademi, Delhi, 1998; Andrew Grant Travel Award, Amsterdam and Paris, 1998; Charles Wallace scholarship for M.F.A at Edinburgh College of Art, 1999 – 2001 and the Edinburgh Evening News Young Edinburgh Award for youth friendly service, 2006.

Currently, Sushil is involved in starting a new visual arts organization in Edinburgh for ethnic communities and disabled groups where he lives and works.