Bio
Sharmistha Ray is a visual artist based in New York City. Trained as a printmaker, Ray turned to painting, drawing, sculpture and installation to address the cultural multivalences of postmodern abstraction. Solo exhibitions include hidden geographies at Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai (2012), Reflections + Transformations at Aicon, New York (2013), and we are all islands at Nine Fish Art Gallery, Mumbai (2016) which travelled to Mill Hall, Kochi (2017) during the third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. Awards include the Joan Mitchell MFA Grant (2004), TED Fellowship (2009), Montblanc Young Artist World Patronage Award (2012) and a nomination for the Civitella Ranieri Fellowship for Visual Arts (2014). Ray received her B.A. from Williams College and dual degree M.S./M.F.A. in Art History and Painting from Pratt Institute. In 2000, she interned at Jenny Holzer’s studio in Hoosick Falls, NY.
Education
2001-2005 Dual degree: M.S. History of Art & Design/M.F.A. Painting, Pratt Institute, New York
1997-2001 B.A. Art, Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. (cum laude)
Solo exhibitions and projects
2017
we are all islands 2, Mill Hall, Kochi, India
2016
we are all islands, Nine Fish Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
2015
On the Seashore of Endless Worlds, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai, India
2014
Sweet Surrender: Studies in Abstraction, Galerie Steph, Singapore
2013
Reflections + Transformations, Aicon Gallery, New York, USA
2012
hidden geographies, Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India
2004
Crossroads, M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, USA
1998
Queer Series, Wilde Gallery, Williams College, Williamstown, USA
Selected Group exhibitions
2016
Studio Picks, The Loft at Lower Parel. Mumbai, India
2016
Art for Concern Annual Charity Exhibition & Auction, Mumbai, India
2015
Sparsh/Tactile, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai, India
2015
The 377191 Wall: A New Window to Understanding, Gallery Beyond, Mumbai, India
2015
Reviving the Retinal, Gallery OED, Kochi, India. Curated by Dr. Kathleen Wyma
2015
India Art Fair, 7th Edition, New Delhi, India
2014
Cursory Glances, Curated by WAA, Palladium Mall, Mumbai, India
2014
Asia Contemporary Art Show, Hong Kong
2014
Noir/Blanc, The Loft at Lower Parel, Mumbai, India
2013
Touched by Bhupen, Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India
2013
Vikhroli Skins, an initiative by Godrej India Culture Lab, Mumbai, India
2013
OUT/OFF: Out of the gallery and off the walls, Chameleon Art Projects, Mumbai, India
2013
India Art Fair, 5th Edition, New Delhi, India
2012
Open Studios, Space 118, Mumbai, India
2012
Museum of Memories, Godrej India Culture Lab, Mumbai, India
2012
Mumbai Galleries Weekend, sponsored by Citibank, Mumbai, India
2010
Hope for Haiti-India Cares, Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, India
2007
In-si-der, Bodhi Art, Mumbai, India. Curated by Sonal Singh and Brinda Kumar
2006
Joan Mitchell M.F.A. Grant Recipients, CUE Art Foundation, New York, USA
2004
Territories, Aicon Gallery, New York, USA. Curated by South Asian Women’s Creative Collective
2004
CAC Juried Exhibition, Contemporary Artists Center, North Adams, USA. Jurors: Mike Glier and Jenny Holzer
2004
Explorations/Innovations, Kingsborough Community College, New York, USA
2004
2004 Annual Pratt MFA Exhibition, Pratt Manhattan Gallery, New York, USA
2004
Grand Group Show, Danny Simmons Corridor Gallery, Brooklyn, New York, USA
2004
Drawing Show, Parsons Institute, New York, USA
2004
MFAs Colliding, New York University, New York, USA
2002
Extreme Existence, Schafler Gallery, Pratt Institute, New York, USA
2002
9/11: Artists Respond, Schafler Gallery, Pratt Institute, New York, USA
2000
B.A. Thesis Exhibition, Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, USA
2000
Berkshire Artisans Association Juried Show, Lichtenstein Art Center, Pittsfield, USA
Awards and recognition
2014
Civitella Ranieri Fellowship, Visual Arts, Nominee, Italy
2013
L’Oreal Paris Femina Women Awards, Nominee, Artist of the Year, India
2012
Montblanc Young Artist World Patronage Award, Germany
2009
TED Fellowship, USA
2005
Pratt Circle Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, Pratt Institute, USA
2005
Certificate of Excellence Award for Outstanding Merit in Graduate Fine Arts, Pratt Institute, USA
2005
Certificate of Excellence Award for Outstanding Merit in Graduate Art History, Pratt Institute, USA
2004
Joan Mitchell M.F.A. Grant, $10,000 Cash Award, USA
2000
cum laude, Dean’s List (four times), Williams College, USA
2000
Berkshire Artisans Association Fellowship, USA
2000
Class 1960 Scholars in Art, Williams College, USA
1998
BiGLaTA Fellowship, $2,500 Cash Award, Williams College, USA