Artists > Rajen
“Art is a journey of which you don’t know the end.” ~ Rajen
Rajendrasing Chaudhari, simply known as Rajen to most, left behind a rich tapestry of imprints from his long and prolific career spanning over 60 years. Rajen studied painting at the prestigious Sir J. J. School of Arts in the mid 1950s. Later, a job with the government’s ‘Hill Wool’ Scheme, followed by a teaching position at NID and a travelling fellowship to design institutes across Europe, led him to a unique medium of painting. Artist Rajen wove. He transformed the humble weaver’s loom into his vibrant canvas, weaving into it the multitudes of cultures that criss-crossed his horizon.
This exhibition is as much about Rajen Chaudhari, the artist-weaver, as it is about the fabric that we call life. A fabric where the quotidian and the sublime magically intertwine in tapestries pulsating with the spirit of the time.
~ Jaai Kakani
Profile
Rajen (1931 – 2021)
Born in Saharanpur, UP, IN
1960 – Textile designer, Hill Wool Scheme of Uttar Pradesh, Almora, IN
1966 – Faculty, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, IN
1970 – Started WeaveLab in Ahmedabad, IN
Visiting lecturer – School of Architecture, Ahmedabad, IN
Education
1969 Royal College of Art, London, UK
1969 Atinium, Helsinki, FI
1969 Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm, SE
1961 Intensive training at Indian Institute of Handloom Technology and Weavers Service
Centre, Varanasi, IN
1960 Diploma in Painting and Mural Decoration, Sir J.J. School of Art, Bombay, IN
1955 Bachelor in Arts, Agra University, Agra, IN
Scholarship for abroad – Ford Foundation Scholarship, USA
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2024 RAJEN (1931 – 2021): A Weaver of Magic, Chatterjee & Lal, Mumbai, IN
2022 Chale Chalo: Woven stories of Rajen, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, IN
2008 Contemporary Art Gallery, Ahmedabad, IN
2006 Woven Art by Rajen, International Music & Arts Society, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore, IN
2004 Rajen, Artworld gallery, Chennai, IN
2001 Painter-Weaver Rajen, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
1999 Painter – Weaver Rajen, Herwitz Gallery, Ahmedabad, IN
1997 Painter-Weaver Rajen, Chinmaya Centre of World Understanding, New Delhi, IN
1997 Paintings & Weavings by Rajen, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
1996 Painter Weaver RAJEN, ABC Art Gallery, Varanasi, IN
1995 Rajen Incredible Nudes & Invincible Bulls, Main Street Arts, New York, USA
1995 From the Loom of Rajen, International Music & Arts Society, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore, IN
1994 Painter Weaver Rajen, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
1992 Tapestries by Rajen, International Music & Arts Society, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore, IN
1992 Sarala Art Centre, Chennai, IN
1990 Rajen of Ahmedabad, International Music & Arts Society, Bangalore, IN
1990 Studio Weaver R. P. Rajen’s wall-hangings, floor coverings and paintings, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
1989 Tapestries in wool, cotton and silk based on the Kalamkari and Miniature styles, Art Heritage by R.P. Rajen, Sarala Art Centre, Madras, IN
1987 Sarala Art Centre, Chennai, IN
1987 Rajen – The Studio Weaver from Ahmedabad, Genesis Art Gallery, Kolkata, IN
1986 Woven Tapestries by Rajen, International Music & Arts Society, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore, IN
1986 Studio Weaver R. P. Rajen’s wall hangings, durries and other woven items, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
1986 Rajen The Studio Weaver, Chetana Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
1986 Woven Art by Rajen, Vithi Gallery, Ahmedabad, IN
1986 Tapestries in wool, cotton and silk based on the Kalamkari and Miniature styles, Art Heritage, Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, IN
1985 Tree of Life, Hutheesing Visual Art Centre, Ahmedabad, IN
1983 Tree of Life, Brussels, BE
1983 Tree of Life, Shringara art gallery, Mumbai, IN
1983 Textile Garden, DK
1983 Under Craft Art Gallery, USA
1983 Bird-In-The Hand, USA
1983 Gallery G, USA
1975 Woven Art, Tapestries by Rajen, International Music & Arts Society, Bangalore, IN
Selected Group Exhibitions
2015 Celebrating Two Masters of Textile Art, SITE art space, Vadodara, IN
2006 Kanoria Centre of Arts, Ahmedabad, IN
1999 Handwoven wall hangings & durries by Rajen, Fortune Art Gallery, Indore, IN
1998 Drawings & Paintings by Rajen Chaudhari, Contemporary Art Gallery, Ahmedabad, IN
1993 Sunday Drawings, Contemporary Art Gallery, Ahmedabad, IN
1992 Visual Art Centres, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, IN
1992 All India Exhibition of Art, Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi, Jaipur, IN
1992 Rajen’s tapestries, Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore, IN
1991 31st State Art Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, Ahmedabad, IN
1988 Studio Weaver R. P. Rajen’s handwoven tapestries, Chitra Kala Parishad, Bangalore, IN
1987 Kumbh Kala Bhandar, Surat, IN
1985 Aditi: A Celebration of Life, Festival of India, Washington DC, USA
1983 International Expo, JP
1982 Aditi: A Celebration of Life, Festival of India, London, UK
Grants
1992 – Lalit Kala Academy, Jaipur, IN
1990 – Lalit Kala Academy, Gujarat, IN
Collections
Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi, IN
King of Norway’s Private Collection, Oslo, NOR
Indira Gandhi International Air Port, New Delhi, IN
Tagore Hall Auditorium’s stage curtains, Ahmedabad, IN
